Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has expressed condolences to the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, following the death of her mother, Mrs Kamene Okonjo, at the age of 96.
Kamene died on Friday after a life marked by family commitment and service. She was married for 66 years to the late Professor Chukwuka Okonjo, a former traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku in Delta State.
Otti conveyed his condolences in a statement issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njuko-Ukoha, describing the death as a personal loss to him and the people of Abia State.
The governor said the loss of a mother remained deeply painful, regardless of a person’s accomplishments, honours or international recognition.
He described Okonjo-Iweala as a respected Nigerian whose achievements on the global stage reflected the values and principles instilled in her by her mother.
According to Otti, the late Kamene played several important roles in her daughter’s life, serving as a teacher, confidante, moral guide and prayer warrior.
He said her influence helped shape Okonjo-Iweala’s commitment to integrity, hard work, excellence, compassion and service to humanity.
“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,” the governor said.
Otti added that a mother’s love and support could not be replaced by professional success or public recognition, noting that the bond between Okonjo-Iweala and her mother was evident in the WTO chief’s frequent expressions of affection and respect for her.
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He said the people of Abia State shared in the family’s grief and prayed for strength and comfort for Okonjo-Iweala and her relatives as they mourned.
The governor expressed confidence that the family would find solace in the knowledge that Kamene had lived a fulfilled life and left behind a legacy that would continue to influence future generations.
He also prayed that God would sustain the family through the difficult period, urging them to draw comfort from the values and lessons the deceased had passed on to her children and loved ones.