Mrs. Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, wife of late Nigerian Head of State, Major General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi, is dead.
The former First Lady passed on peacefully on Monday morning. She would have been 98 on November 21, 2021.
Her husband, and the Supreme Commander of the National Military Government, was killed on July 29, 1966, in a military coup staged by northern officers in an apparent retaliation of the first coup of January 15, 1966, led by Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, which claimed the lives of several northern officers and political leaders.
Following the killing of her husband, Mrs. Aguiyi-Ironsi, who never re-married, raised their children alone and they all went on to play important roles in Nigeria’s development.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his condolences to the Aguiyi-Ironsi family over the death of their matriarch, Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi.
Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President noted that the departed former First Lady would be remembered for laying the foundation for women playing leadership roles in the seat of power.
“President Muhammadu 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, Major General Johnson Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi.
“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.
“The President notes that the former First Lady will be remembered for laying a solid foundation for women’s leadership role in the seat of power and as a founding member of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association; she passionately championed the welfare and wellbeing of families of military officers.
“The President recognises that 55 years after the death of General J.T Aguiyi-Ironsi, Lady Victoria never stopped working for the greater good of Nigeria, and for peace, stability, healing and reconciliation in the land.
“The President sincerely hopes that Lady Victoria’s labours for the country will not be in vain, and joins all Nigerians in praying for the repose of the soul of the departed and comfort for those who mourn,” the statement reads.
Similarly, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe bemoaned the death of two former first ladies – Mrs Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi and Mrs Adanma Okpara saying Nigeria and Abia State, in particular, have lost two great women.
Senator Abaribe said the death within a space of two days of Mrs. Ironsi wife of first Nigeria Military Head of State, late General Aguiyi Ironsi and Mrs. Okpara, wife of former Premier of Eastern Nigeria, Dr Michael Okpara marks a sad end of a glorious era.