Abia State governor, Alex Otti has commiserated with the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on the demise of her mother, Mrs. Kamene Okonjo, who passed on at the age of 96.
The governor in a message described the news of the death of Prof Okonjo as a personal loss to him and Abia people, adding that her demise has left a void no honour, accomplishment or global recognition can fill.
In the condolence message, Governor Otti said Abia State mourns with Dr. Okonjo-Iweala not just as Nigeria’s most celebrated daughter on the global stage, but as a beloved sister and wife whose life embodies the values her mother instilled.
The governor noted that the late matriarch was more than a mother; she was a moral compass, teacher, confidant and prayer warrior whose virtues of integrity, hard work, excellence, compassion and service live on in her daughter and continue to touch humanity through her.
“To lose a mother is to lose a part of oneself. For us in Abia, this is a personal loss. We have lost a mother, a matriarch who raised a daughter who has become a global pride to Abia, Ndigbo, Nigeria and to all of humanity.
“No matter how accomplished a child becomes, a mother remains that irreplaceable place of comfort, quiet strength and unconditional love.
“We have seen our sister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala speak of her mother with so much reverence and love. We know how close they were and we feel her pain deeply,” Governor Otti stated.
Otti prayed the Almighty God who has given Dr. Okonjo-Iweala the strength in her journey of selfless service to humanity, will also be her comforter, and urged her to take solace in the fact that her mother lived a fulfilled, impactful and exemplary life whose legacy will endure for generations.