Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor have mourned the death of Prof. Kamene Okonjo mother of the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
They described the deceased as an accomplished scholar revered matriarch and community builder.
Prof. Kamene Okonjo who died on Friday at the age of 96 was the wife of the late Prof. Chukwuka Okonjo a former traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State and mother of the kingdom’s current monarch Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo II.
Oborevwori in a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary Sir Festus Ahon described the late professor as a distinguished scholar whose contributions to academia women’s empowerment and society would remain indelible.
The governor said her remarkable achievements in scholarship and advocacy for women’s rights had earned her recognition beyond Nigeria while her humility compassion and commitment to service distinguished her as a woman of exceptional character.
He also acknowledged her invaluable contributions to her family and society noting that her legacy as a mother grandmother and great-grandmother would continue to inspire generations.
Oborevwori extended his condolences to Okonjo-Iweala the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku other members of the Okonjo family and the people of the kingdom.
He prayed God to grant the family the strength to bear the loss and the deceased’s soul eternal rest describing her passing as the end of a life devoted to scholarship family and humanity.
In a similar vein Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor who is also the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria described the late nonagenarian as a distinguished matriarch whose life was defined by intellectual accomplishment service and an enduring commitment to her family and community.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Mr. Nkem Nwaeke the Speaker said her death was a painful loss not only to the Okonjo family and Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom but also to Delta State and Nigeria.
He noted that Prof. Okonjo was more than the mother of a globally recognised figure describing her as an accomplished academic a revered traditional queen and a community builder whose influence extended beyond her immediate family.
Guwor said the deceased had made lasting contributions as a scholar served her community with dignity and raised children whose achievements had brought pride to Delta State Nigeria and Africa.
He added that it was gratifying that she lived to witness her daughter’s accomplishments on the global stage and her son’s emergence as the traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom.
On behalf of the 36 state Houses of Assembly and the Delta State House of Assembly Guwor condoled with Okonjo-Iweala the monarch the extended Okonjo family and the people of Aniocha South.
He prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and give her family the fortitude to bear the loss.
He equally urged them to preserve the late Queen’s worthy legacies.