Nnamani mourns Aguiyi-Ironsi, Okpara’s wives

• Says they are great amazons

Former Governor of Enugu State and senator representing Enugu East in the Senate, Chimaroke Nnamani, has condoled with the families of first Nigeria’s military Head of State, Gen. Aguiyi-Ironsi and former Premier of Eastern Region, Dr. Michael Okpara, over the demise of their wives, Mrs. Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi and Lady Adanma Okpara.

In the condolence messages to the two families, Nnamani described the fallen heroines as great amazons who were the backbones and pillars of their husbands’ achievements while in public service.

Specifically, he praised Madam Aguiyi-Ironsi for her indomitable spirit in providing leadership, carrying on the family burden and her show of strength after the gruesome murder of her husband many years ago.

“The Late Madam Aguiyi-Ironsi’s indomitable spirit, courage, perseverance and strength of character during and after that tragic era are worthy of commendation,” he stated.

On Lady Adanma Okpara, Nnamani described her as a woman of inestimable capacity and ideas. He recalled that the late Adanma and her husband (Michael Okpara) laid the solid foundation for socio-economic development in the then Eastern Region (now Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa states) on which successive governments built on.

“That was the foundation successive administrations, including 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 the women folks to emulate the resilience, industry and indomitable spirits of the former First Ladies. Nnamani prayed God to grant them eternal rest.