Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Senator Mao Ohuabunwa who represented Abia North in the eight Senate, has lost his wife, Lady Nimi Faith Ohuabunwa.
She died over the weekend in an Abuja hospital, after a prolonged ailment, according to a family source.
Confirming her death in a statement Monday, the Head of the Ohuabunwa dynasty, and former presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, described it as very painful.
“With a deep heart of pain and total submission to the will of God, the entire Ohuabunwa dynasty announces the passing on to glory of Lady Barr. Nimi Faith Ohuabunwa the wife of Senator Mao Ohuabunwa whose death occurred on the 22nd July, 2023. May her gentle soul rest in peace,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, prominent Abians including former Governors Orji Uzor Kalu, and Theodore Orji; former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; and Professor Greg Ibe, have condoled with the Ohuabunwas over the incident.
Senator Kalu in a statement, expressed shock and deep sorrow over the sad news.
He condoled with the Ohuabunwas and prayed God to grant them fortitude to bear the loss.
The statement made available to Ikengaonline read: “It’s with a heavy heart that I received the news of your wife’s demise. The loss of a woman who was a significant part of your life, being the mother of your children, is particularly a deep pain to handle.
“As you mourn the death of your dear wife, on behalf of Abia North Senatorial District, I send you my heartfelt sympathy over this irreparable loss.
“May God comfort you and members of your family and grant you the emotional strength to overcome this great loss.”
Similarly, former Governor and the immediate-past Senator who represented Abia Central in the Ninth Senate, Senator Theodore Orji, has expressed grief over the death of the deceased.
Senator Orji in a statement by his Liaison Officer, Hon. Ifeanyi Umere, said he was saddened when he got the news of Lady Ohuabunwa’s shocking exit.
He prayed God to grant her soul eternal repose and the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.
Similarly, Former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, also expressed grief over the death of Lady Ohuabunwa, describing the loss of a beloved wife as “highly traumatic and devastating.”
He condoled with the Ohuabunwa dynasty and prayed God to console them “at this trying moment.”
Senator Wabara who is the Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, also prayed God to grant the soul of the departed, eternal rest in His kingdom.
In the same vein, former Senate Minority Leader and the Senator representing Abia South, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has also expressed shock and sorrow over the death of Mrs Ohuabunwa.
Senator Abaribe in a statement by his Media Adviser, Uchenna Awom, described it as “a saddening jolt that must have left a huge vacuum in the family of Senator Ohuabunwa.”
He described the deceased as “a virtuous woman, dutiful mother and a loving wife who provided a strong backbone for Senator Mao Ohuabunwa as she was there at all times for him, providing the necessary support for his successful career.”
“Loosing such a loving life partner leaves an indelible mark too hard to forget, but as believers we must take solace in God who knows why it must be now.
“I therefore console my friend, his children and the entire Ohuabunwa family and pray that Almighty God who is the greatest comforter shall comfort and strengthen them at this time,” Senator Abaribe said.
Similarly, the Abia State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the 2023, Professor Greg Ibe, expressed bitterness over the incident.
He urged the Ohuabunwas to bear the loss with equanimity.
“Having received the sad news of the sudden death of Lady Barr. Nimi Faith Ohuabunwa, I want to sincerely condole with my bosom friend and leader Sen Mao Ohuabunwa on this tragic loss of his wife and life partner,” Ibe said in a statement.
Continuing he said, “My woe is further compounded by the fact the last public communication I read from Sen Ohuabunwa was an epistle celebrating his wife during her birthday recently.”
Prof Ibe prayed God to comfort the Ohuabunwas over the irreparably loss.
