Former Nigeria’s First Lady Laid To Rest In her Husband’s Compound

The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has described the Late wife of the former Military Head of State Lady Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi as a great woman who exhibited nobility, hard work and comportment during her life time.

Governor Ikpeazu who was speaking at the funeral service for the late Lady Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi held at the St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Afara Ukwu, Umuahia said that the deceased believed and worked for the peace, progress and unity of Abia State and Nigeria.

The Governor said he felt a deep sense of personal loss as he tapped from the wealth of experience of the late Lady Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi.

While noting that the faith of the deceased in the unity of Nigeria never waned, Governor Ikpeazu said that her death marks the end of a glorious chapter in our history.

Governor Ikpeazu noted that the Late General Aguiyi Ironsi was the real father of Nigerian unity since he was the Head of State who promulgated the Decree that unified Nigeria, noting that the murder of the man signaled the start of the threat to the unity of Nigeria.

The Governor urged Nigerians to learn to extend hands of fellowship across various nationalities and prayed that the burial  will mark an end to all cases of injustice across the land with a view to giving the people a new hope  to live as Brothers and build a greater nation.

In a homily, the Chancellor of Umuahia Catholic Diocese, the Rev. Fr. Henry Maduka stressed the need for Christians to turn to the word of God for solutions to the many problems confronting the nation.

He described the late Noble Lady Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi as a worthy Christian who reposed absolute trust in God and the catholic Faith which enabled her surmount the difficult task of bringing up her children after the painful death of her husband.

In a remark on behalf of the Aguiyi Ironsi family, the first son of the deceased and former Minister of Defense, Ambassador Thomas Aguiyi Ironsi thanked the Governor and host of others for identifying with the family.

He described his mother as an example to Nigeria women who championed the cause for the rights of women, saying that she will be surely missed.

The funeral service which was presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia, Most Rev. Dr. Lucius Ugorji also had in attendance, the Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Okochukwu and his wife, former Governor and Senator representing Abia Central Senator T.A Orji and wife, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, the President, Abia State Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Okey Nwamuo, Col. Austin Akobundu, Secretary to Government, Barrister Chris Ezem and other members of the State Executive Council, Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Sir J N Nwabeke, Service Commanders, Chairman of the Abia State Advisory Council, Ezeogo Dr. Anagha Ezikpe and other distinguished Nigerians graced the ceremony.