Lady Adanma Okpara, wife of the Premier of former Eastern Region, Dr Michael Iheonukara Okpara has reportedly died at the earlier hours of Sunday, August 22, 2021. She would have been 97 by 21st December, 2021.
Family sources who revealed that the nonagenarian has been sick for a couple of years said she died after a protracted illness.
Although her second son, Chief Uzodinma Okpara could not be reached for detailed information leading to the sad news as of the time of filing this report, but informed sources said she died at an undisclosed hospital.
However, a visit to the Umuegwu Okpuala, Ohuhu country home of the Okparas at 4 pm on Sunday, showed that the unfortunate incident may have shocked their kinsmen.
Umuegwu Okpuala, Ohuhu is in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State.
Few family members were on hand to welcome the sympathisers who had come to ascertain the veracity of the news. Uzodinma Okpara, an Abia State-based politician, was absent at the time our reporter visited.
An elder in the community, who pleaded anonymity said she could not confirm or deny the news, added that “Igbo tradition forbids any announcement on the health status of a prominent individual like that of Adanma Okpara without due consultations with relevant authorities”.
Meanwhile, since the demise of her husband, Dr Michael Okpara on 17th December 1984, the nonagenarian has lived a quiet life and rarely seen in public, even when her son, Uzodinma Okpara was the Abia State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during the reign of Governor Orji Uzor Kalu.
