The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has lamented the absence of the South-East governors as the remains of Lady Adanma Okpara, widow of the Premier of former Eastern Nigeria, Chief Michael Okpara, were laid to rest in her country home, Umuegwu Okpuala in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on Saturday.
Speaking at the funeral service conducted by the Methodist Church Nigeria at Williams Memorial Grammar School, Afugiri, Umuahia, Okezie Ikpeazu said the event marked the end of the glorious era of Okpara as the Premier of the defunct Eastern Region.
He recalled that Okpara as the Premier ensured, through adept management, that Eastern Nigeria was one of the fastest growing economies in the world as of then.
He regretted the absence of the South-East governors at the event as well as the inability of the Federal Government to send an official representation to honour the late spouse of Okpara, who brought accolades to the country during his days as Premier of Eastern Nigeria.
He stressed that the final exit of the late Premier’s spouse, Adanma, should be used “to reawaken our strength, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit as a people.”
Ikpeazu who described the deceased as a humble woman said that he was personally touched by her, adding that he learnt a lot from her and would sustain her legacies
Speaking at the occasion, the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uche Ogah, described Lady Adanma Okpara as “one of our best”, who supported her late husband to bring Eastern Nigeria to limelight.
In their separate speeches, the immediate past state governor and now senator representing Abia Central, Theodore Orji and former Governor of Enugu State, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, described the deceased as a woman of virtue, discipline, and lasting companion to her late husband and urged families to learn from their relationship.
Earlier in his sermon entitled, “A Good Name Is Better Than Everything’, the Prelate of Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Samuel Uche, harped on the need for people to make good names rather than devote time on the acquisition of wealth.
Prelate Uche said that life should be lived in the service of God and humanity, noting that the deceased worked assiduously to make life better for others.
In her tribute, the first daughter of the deceased, Mrs Chinyere Eccles-James, described their mother as a great source of inspiration to many and one who lived a life of continuous goodwill and service to God and her fellow human beings.
Copyright PUNCH.
