The former First Lady of the Old Eastern Region, Lady Adanma Okpara has died at 97.
Adanma, the wife of the First Republic Premier of the defunct Eastern Nigeria, late Dr Michael Okpara, passed away on Sunday in an undisclosed hospital in the southeastern state.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu confirmed her death in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka on Monday.
Her demise, the governor noted, “has robbed us of one of our most iconic females living legends”.
While eulogising Adanma and her late husband, Ikpeazu said they gave the people of the old Eastern Region, a first-class government whose achievements continue to reverberate even till date.
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He also recalled the spousal support she provided to her late husband, adding that it was instrumental to the monumental success he recorded as Premier.
The Abia leader praised Lady Adanma for being “a model of good and excellent womanhood.”
According to him, the former First Lady was a fountain of knowledge from which most women, especially in Abia drew.
“Governor Ikpeazu notes with satisfaction that the now late Lady Adanma Okpara remained at her husband’s house in Umuegwu, Ohuhu, Umuahia and continued to play the role of a mother, grandmother and community leader till her final days,” the statement partly read.
“The Governor recalls with nostalgia the moments he spent with her and how passionate she remained about the use of the platform of government to better the lives of the people. She freely shared their experiences about the public service of the first republic.”
While assuring that the people of Abia State will always treasure her memories, just the way the memory of her late husband is being valued, the Ikpeazu stated that together, they left imperishable legacies.
He also commiserated with the first son of the family, Chief Uzodinma Okpara and indeed, the entire family on the “glorious passage of this truly great woman”.
The governor asked them to take pride in the solid legacies of their parents and be motivated to keep the flag of excellence in public service, hoisted by their parents, flying at full mast.
“The State Government, the Governor assures, will work closely with the family to ensure that she gets a burial befitting of the legacies she left behind.
The late Premier died in December 1984.
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