A former Head of State Yakubu Gowon on Sunday commiserated with the family of the first military Head of State, the late Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, over the death of their matriarch, Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi.
Mrs Aguiyi-Ironsi was the First Lady of Nigeria between January 16, 1966 and July 29, 1966, when her husband was assassinated in a counter military coup.
She died on August 23, 2021 at the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Abia, aged 97 years.
Mr Gowon, who is the founder and chairman of Nigeria Prays, described late Mrs Aguiyi-Ironsi as a true mother of the nation.
Mr Gowon, represented by Rev. Dr Chuks Alozie, the Abia coordinator of Nigeria Prays, said he was at the family house in Umuahia to commiserate with them over the death of their wife, mother and grandmother.
He described the former head of state as a very close associate that shared in his belief in keeping the bound of unity in Nigeria.
Mr Gowon said that the contributions of late Mrs Aguiyi-Ironsi towards nation building, motherly role in mediating for peace, human capacity building, and mobilising Nigeria Army wives for greater role would be missed greatly.
The group had earlier in Umuahia, paid a condolence visit to Prof. Anthony Agbazuare, the Chief of Staff to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, over the loss of his wife, Onyinyechi.
NAN
