President Muhammadu Buhari, Governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Senate Chief Whip Orji Uzor Kalu, Senate Minority Leader Enyinnaya Abaribe and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi have sent condolences to the families of Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi and Michael Okpara on the death of Dame Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi and Lady Adanna Okpara.

Both women were matriarchs and wives of former military Head of State, General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi and the late Premier of defunct Eastern Region, Dr. Michael Okpara.

Dame Aguiyi-Ironsi was 97 while Lady Okpara was 86.

A statement on Monday in Abuja by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said: “President Buhari extends deepest condolences to the Aguiyi-Ironsi family, and government and people of Abia State on the passing of Chief Mrs. Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, wife of the first military Head of State, Maj.-Gen. Johnson Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi.

Read Also: Buhari, govs, others mourn former military governor Olurin

“The President affirms that Lady Victoria’s incredible strength and exceptional courage during one of the darkest moments in our nation’s history pedestals her as a mother of the nation, God-fearing and a foremost woman of valour…”

Conveying his condolence through a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka, Governor Ikpeazu said: “Widowed since December, 1984, Lady Adanma Okpara remained a model of good and excellent womanhood. She was a fountain of knowledge from which most women, especially here in Abia, drank freely.”

In a statement yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku Uzodimma, Governor Uzodimma described the deaths of both women as big losses to the Igbo and other Nigerians.

In his condolence message yesterday in Abuja, Kalu described the late Lady Okpara as a woman of virtue.

He added that she was a pillar of support and source of inspiration for the womenfolk.

In a statement by his Media Adviser, Uchenna Awom, Senator Abaribe, said: “Both women leaders lived out their roles as worthy pillars of support to their husbands who played pivotal roles in the shaping of Nigeria at various times when they held sway as Head of State of Nigeria and Premier of Eastern Nigeria.”

Obi said both women have etched their names on the pages of history of Igbo land and Nigeria.