President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, wife of late Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, first Nigerian military head of state.
Victoria, aged 97, died in the early hours of Monday at Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia state, after a prolonged battle with stroke.
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In a statement issued by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, Buhari said Victoria worked for the peace and stability of the country.
The president said the deceased championed the welfare and wellbeing of families of military officers.
The statement reads;
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.
Victoria married Aguiyi-Ironsi as a 16-year-old student of Holy Rosary Convent School, Okigwe, Imo state in 1953.
Her husband, Aguiyi-Ironsi was the supreme commander of National Military Government for six months before being overthrown and assassinated on July 29, 1966 Nigerian counter-coup.
Aguiyi-Ironsi, who was the first Nigerian military head of state, was killed in Ibadan by a countercoup led by Murtala Muhammed and which led to the installtion of Yakubu Gowon.
Following the death of her husband, Chief Mrs. Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi never re-married.
