Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi dies at 97, Buhari mourns

Lady Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, the Widow of Nigeria’s first military ruler, has passed on at the age of 97, TopNaija can confirm.

A close family friend disclosed that she died at 5.00am on Monday, exactly one day after her friend, age mate and wife of the former Premier of Eastern Nigeria, Adanma Okpara, died.

Her husband, Gen. Johnson Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, was the first Nigerian military head of state; and he was in office from January 17, 1966 till July 29, 1966.

He was killed in Ibadan in a counter-coup led by Gen. Murtala Mohammed, also deceased.

Born on 21st November, 1923, Lady Ironsi was the second First Lady of Nigeria from January 17, 1966 to July 29, 1966.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, the wife of the first military Head of State, late General J.T Aguiyi-Ironsi.

In his condolence message to the Aguiyi-Ironsi family and people of Abia State, Buhari described the deceased, who died at 5.00am on Monday, as a God-fearing and foremost woman of valour who never stopped working for Nigeria.

He acknowledged that the deceased never stopped working for the greater good of Nigeria, and for peace, stability, healing and reconciliation in the land despite her husband’s death.

This was contained in a statement titled, ‘President Buhari Mourns Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, Wife Of The First Military Head Of State,’ signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

The statement read, “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.