By Gabriel Atumeyi
365Daily – Former Governor of Enugu State and Senator representing Enugu East in the Senate, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, has condoled the families of first Nigeria military Head of State, General Aguiyi Ironsi and former Premier of Eastern Region, Dr. Micheal Okpara, over the demise of their wives; Mrs Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi and Lady Adanma Okpara.
Mrs. Victoria Ironsi was the First Lady of Nigeria while Adanma Okpara was the First Lady of the defunct Eastern Region. Both women hailed from Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State.
365Daily reported that the two former first ladies died within 24 hours of each other. While Adanma reportedly died in the early hours of Sunday at 96, Victoria died Monday morning at the age of 98.
Nnamani, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Integration and Cooperation in Africa/ NEPAD, in his condolence messages to the two families, described them as great amazons who were the back bones and pillars of their husbands’ achievements while in public service.
Specifically, Senator Nnamani praised late Madam Ironsi for her indomitable spirit in providing leadership, carrying on the family burden and her show of strength especially after the gruesome murder of her husband many years ago.
“Late Madam Ironsi’s indomitable spirit, courage, perseverance and strength of character during and after that tragic era is worthy of commendation,” he stated.
On late Lady Adanma Okpara, Senator Nnamani described her as a woman of inestimable capacity and ideas.
He recalled that late Adanma and her husband (Micheal Okpara) laid the solid foundation for socio-economic development in then Eastern Region (Now Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa States) on which successive governments built on.
Senator Nnamani added: “that was the foundation successive administrations including mine in Enugu State built on. We cannot forget the sacrifices made by the Okparas, especially the establishment of industries and educational institutions that brought development to the region.”
He urged women to emulate the resilience, industry and indomitable spirits of the former First Ladies, while praying that God grants them eternal rest.