The Ukwa la Ngwa Elders Council, an Apex Social Cultural Organization,has joined well meaning Nigerians to commiserate with the Okpara and Aguiyi Ironsi families over the death of their mothers, Lady Adanma Okpara and Lady Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi.
Late Lady Adanma Okpara, former first lady of the Old Eastern Region was married to the iconic late Dr. Micheal Iheonukara Okpara,who served as premiere of the old eastern region from 1959-1966 while the Late Former first lady, Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi was married to Nigerians first military head of State and first Indigenous Army General, Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi Ironsi.
Speaking during a condolence visit at the hometowns of the deceased, the Ukwa la Ngwa Elders Council made up of Nine LGAs of Abia State, led by its Chairman, Dr Max Nduaguibe, described the late Matriarchs as Iconic mothers who did not allow the deaths of their husbands to weigh them down psychologically but rather contributed immensely to the growth and development of the Eastern Region.
The Council observed with pride that the late Lady Adanma Okpara provided the ambience and played a supportive role for her late husband Dr Michael Okpara to have worked assiduously that he placed the Government and people of the defunct eastern region at a very high pedestal above other regions of Nigeria first republic which made it the fastest growing economy in Sub-Saharan Africa.
They also noted the significant role played by lady Aguiyi Ironsi in the task of nation building, adding that despite the death of her husband she has groomed her children to be responsible members of the society and has kept the Aguiyi Ironsi family a prominent stakeholder in Nigeria’s social-political equation.
The Ukwa la Ngwa Elders Council urged the Okpara and Aguiyi Ironsi families to take solace in the fact that their mothers lived fulfilled lives and left legacies that would continuously speak for them.
In their separate responses, Chief Uzodinma Okpara, while commending the delegation for coming to commiserate with the family over the death of their Matriarch, thanked God for granting their mother a wonderful life well lived.
He said although she would be sorely missed, they are consoled by the fact that she was a philanthropist who lived her life in dedication to service of God and humanity.
On his part, first son of the deceased and former Minister for Defense, Ambassador Thomas Aguiyi Ironsi, described their mother as an administrator and astute politician who played her part both at the local, State and National.
He thanked the Ukwa la Ngwa Elders Council for the overwhelming show of love and solidarity to the family through their visit.
The Council also paid a condolence visit to the Chief of Staff to the Governor,Prof ACB Agbazuere, over the death of his second wife, Lolo Onyinyechi Agbazuere.
Elderstatesman Chief Isaac Ogbonna,Chief Chinwe Nwanganga, Chief K.O Mgbeahuru, Elder Godwin Nna,Chief Mrs Ukachi Amala were among the delegation.
