MONDAY- 8th November, 2021: Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has described the late wife of the first Nigerian military Head of State, Major General Johnson Thompson Umunnakwe Aguiyi Ironsi, Victoria,as a great woman who exhibited nobility, hard work, and comportment during her lifetime.
He made the declaration while speaking at her funeral service held at Saint Theresa’s Catholic Church, Afaraukwu Umuahia, during the weekend.
The Governor said that the deceased believed and worked for the peace, progress, and unity of Abia State and Nigeria.
He expressed a deep sense of personal loss as he tapped from the wealth of experience of the deceased. 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.
Ikpeazu described 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 Abia Chief Executive, however, 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.
The funeral service which was presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia, Most Rev. Dr. Luscius 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.
