Ohanaeze Mourns Gen Ironsi, Dr Okpara’s Wives

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Monday, expressed shock over the death of Chief Mrs Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi (1923-2021) and Chief Mrs Adanma Okpara (1924-2021).

THE WHISTLER reported that Chief Mrs Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi was the wife of first Nigerian military head of state Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi Ironsi (JTU), while Mrs Okpara was the wife of former premier of Eastern Region, Dr MI Okpara.

Ohanaeze, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Alex Chiedozie Ogbonnia, recalled that, “Gen Ironsi was promoted to the rank of a major general when ethnicity and religion had no place in the military; what mattered most to the British as they were receding was a Nigerian public service well measured in competence and efficient discharge of duties.

“JTU was not a quota general; his promotions were based on merit. In all, he was a true and detribalized gallant soldier. All these were the unseen hands of Victoria.

“Mrs Adanma Okpara, on the other hand, was an icon by her own virtues. At a time that western education was reserved for the daughters of the elite and also for the determined and exceptionally brilliant among the womenfolk, Adanma attended Central School, Ndoro, Ikwuano Oboro; St Mary’s Flanney Memorial School, Oron;  Women’s Training College, Umuahia, and the Westhill Teachers College, Selly Oak Birmingham, UK.

“She taught at Girls’ School, Ovim (1942 1943); Women’s Training College, Umuahia (1944 1947), and later the director, Mitchelson Nigeria Ltd, a maize milling industry whose foundation was laid by the late Dr M.I. Okpara.

“The idiom that behind every successful man is a strong woman standing illustrates the life of Mrs Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi and Mrs Adanma Okpara. They fit into the class of Mrs Correta Scot King, a solid woman who strove on in spite of the assassination of her husband, Dr Martin Luther King.

“It is possible that that these two beautiful Igbo souls had seen heaven and hell while alive, but their virtuous lives shall remain fresh in the minds of the present and future generations of Igbo women.”

Professor George Obiozor, president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, in the statement, prayed God Almighty to grant their souls an eternal repose in his bosom.