The remains of Lady Adanma Okpara, wife of the First Republic Premiere of the Defunct Eastern Nigeria, has been laid to rest in her county home Umuegwu Okpuala in Umuahia North LGA amidst the worrisome absence of the Governor’s of the South East Region who were absent at the funeral ceremony with the exception of Gov Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.
This is even coupled with the inability of the President Mohammadu Buhari led Federal Government, to send representation to honour the late spouse of late Dr Okpara, who brought accolades to the country during his days as Premier.
Present at the burial ceremony were the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu, the Speaker, Rt Hon. Engr Chinedum Orji, the Senate minority leader, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, former PDP National Organising Secretary, Col. Austin Akobundu, and former Senate President, Sen. Adolphus Nwagbara among other notable personalities.
Speaking at the funeral service conducted by the Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN) at Williams Memorial Grammar School, Afugiri, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu regretted the absence of Southeast Governors at the event as well as the inability of the Federal Government to send representation to honour the late spouse of late Dr Okpara, who during his lifetime promoted industrial and agricultural development of the South East region.
Governor Ikpeazu recalled that Nigeria was recognised as the fastest growing economy of the world during late Dr Okpara’s reign pointing out that the event is a moment of sober reflection which marks the end of a glorious era.
He thanked God for giving Abia a man like Dr Okpara, who he said made great impacts the development of the South East region and stressed that the final exit of his spouse,Lady Adanma, should be used to reawaken the strength, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of Ndi Igbo.
Governor Ikpeazu while describing the deceased as a humble woman,said he was personally touched by her and learnt a lot from her and assured that he would sustain her legacies.
Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uche Ogah, in his remarks described Lady Adanma Okpara as “one of our best” , who supported her late husband to bring Eastern Nigeria to limelight.
He stated that the deceased and her husband , who represented the family circle lived exemplary lives worthy of emulation by all and consoled the bereaved family over the loss.
In their separate speeches, the former Governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia Central , Sen. Theodore Orji and the Former Governor of the old Enugu State, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, described the Late Adanma Okpara as a woman of virtue, discipline, and lasting companion to her husband and urged families to learn from their relationship.
Earlier in his sermon titled “A Good Name Is Better Than Everything’, the Prelate of Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Samuel Uche, harped on the need for people to make a good name rather than devote time on the acquisition of wealth.
Dr. Uche said that life should be lived in the service of God and humanity, noting that the deceased worked assiduously to make life better for others.
In a funeral oration, the First daughter of the deceased, Mrs Chinyere Eccles-James, said their mother was a great source of inspiration to many and lived a life of continuous goodwill and service to God and her fellow men.
Aged 99, late Lady Adanma Okpara is survived by five children , many grand and great-grand children, among whom is former Chairman of People’s Democratic Party(PDP) in Abia State, Chief Uzodinma Okpara.
