Gone with her Midas touch

This solemn occasion was presided over by the parish priest Reverend Father Chris Inegbenoghu. In attendance were prominent  personalities among them Governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rotimi Amaechi), Theodore Orji (Abia) and Peter Obi (Anambra), with former Rivers State governor Dr. Peter Odili,  diplomats, members of the National Assembly.

In his sermon, Reverend Father Inegbenoghu dwelled on the life and times of CHIEF (MRS) OKIRO, he praised her for her philanthropic, peaceful lifestyle which he said are  worthy of emulation. He used to occasion to advice Nigerians to change their lifestyle devoid of greed, what he said the former President of Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) lived for, adding that those in position should always respect the rights of others and help where necessary.

Prayers were rendered for the well being and God’s protection of the bereaved family and Nigeria at large.

Late Mrs. Okiro who would be buried today in OBIAKPU, EGBEMA LGA OF RIVERS STATE, is survived by her husband Sir Mike Mbama Okiro a former Inspector General of Police and six children.

When death, which the great English writer William Shakespeare described as a necessary end, visited the Okiros a little over two weeks ago, and like the unwelcome visitor it has always been,  left in its wake a mourning family having taken a strong pillar of the house. As a wife, she was not just affectionate to her heartthrob, she was a soothing balm who magically helped the former top cop unwind during his days of active service and life during retirement.

Without doubt Hera, described by many as a true home maker, was leaving the family at a time all the members – as well as the police community especially officers’ wives – needed her most. Her death is coming at a time when her husband now in retirement has more time to spend with the family, thus creating a vacuum that can never be filled. Not just her husband, her six lovely children are going to forever miss the unparalleled affection a mother would always reserve for her children, the type that always reassured the children in the modern day world full of challenges.

As a mother, she would readily tell her children to carry on the family name built through the combination of hard work. She would drum to them that coming from this family they have a name to protect. While she did these and other responsibilities of the family, the children grew to appreciate the world and tagged along diligently. Indeed, she was the right mother who nurtured descent and responsible children, no wonder they are humble and treat the people they meet with high regard and respect.

The late Mrs. Okiro was not just a wife to Okiro and a mother to his children. She was also the people’s woman who shared in both their happiness and worries. The late Hera glowed whenever she is around you, very simple, humble and exuded every iota of what is ascribed to a virtuous woman, in the process making you to forget your worries.

Mummy, as she was fondly referred to by all the aides of the Okiros, was known as a mother with a good heart. A mother who is always interested herself in the plight of every of her aides and those attached to her husband.

Mrs. Okiro was married into the Okrio family in March 1976 in Abonema, Rivers State.  Hera was then a trained and qualified banker working with the defunct RIV Bank in Port-Harcourt.  Her simplicity, beauty and brain were the values that attracted her to the then young Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) who was then fresh from the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos. Hera instantly became the cynosure of every member of the Okiro family in Egbema.

It was her enterprising ingenuity and love for the things of God that further cemented her bond with Mike Okiro. And with that, she walked straight into the affectionate hearts of the Okiro family, for they were just satisfied with her.

She blossomed further when Okiro was appointed as the Commissioner for Lagos State, and as the Police Chief in the state, it became incumbent upon her to chair the Police Officers Wife Association (POWA).  Her tenure as the POWA chairperson in Lagos State was very outstanding as her advice and support gave birth to the reconstruction of the new Officers Mess in Ikeja.

Mama Hera cannot be easily forgotten by Police Officers wives across the country because of her motherly love and care. She still stands out among the Presidents of POWA whose strides positively impacted both the officers and other ranks of the Nigeria Police Force.

Her colleagues in other security services have continued to cherish and relived her leadership qualities as POWA President. Among her many projects were the construction of the POWA Headquarters in Abuja, POWA shops located all over Abuja for police officers wives and several donations to motherless babies homes, Police Officer widows and Schools.

A good and passionate counsellor, Hera Okiro had helped to cement broken families and was always at her best when showing love to the needy, especially the orphans and the widows.  A woman who can be described as a fulfilled mother, late Hera gave birth to six children; three girls and three boys – a business consultant expert, a barrister, medical cardiologist, a trained and practicing pilot, and a graphic engineer. Mama Hera Okiro, to borrow words of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was Sir Mike Mbama Okiro’s “jewel of inestimable value”.  I will personally miss her as a friend of the family. Her candid and timely advices to my marital life were always handy and effective. May her good soul rest in peace.

Okezie writes from Abuja.