TheCable

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Akinwunmi Adeshina, president of African Development Bank (AfDB), and Amina Mohammed, United Nations deputy secretary general for environment, have commiserated with the Aig-Imoukhuede family over the death of Emily, their matriarch.

Emily died in her UK home at the age of 79.

In his condolence letter addressed to Aigboje, Emily’s first son and former group managing director of Access Bank, Kagame said the “loss of a mother is particularly a difficult one to the family, and I wanted to extend my deepest sympathies to you and your family at this time of grief”.

The Rwandan president described Emily as a formidable woman who “positively impacted the lives of those around her, and it is my hope that this powerful legacy, together with your warm memories, will comfort you both now and in the future”.

Reacting to Emily’s death, Mohammed said the deceased’s dedicated service to Nigeria both in the public and private sector “empowering women, promoting art and supporting the most vulnerable was exemplary and contributed to her legacy as a revered and outstanding Nigerian”.

She said the death is both a personal and national loss.

“I would like to convey my deepest condolences to the Aig-Imoukhuede family in these difficult times and express my deepest sympathies for this national and personal loss,” she wrote.

In his condolence message to the Aig-Imoukhuede family, Adesina said Emily is a “gem to your family, the larger society and to Nigeria”.

The AfDB president said Emily’s sense of national duty, passion, dedication, spirit of service and humility touched all she worked with.

“A dedicated Christian, she served her Lord Jesus Christ as a pastor, teaching and showing the love of Jesus Christ, practically in her selflessly loving, giving and supporting the less privileged,” he wrote.

Emily will be buried in Lagos on July 16.