Ex-Gov wife and Former Miss Nigeria, Edna Ibru passes away in London

Mrs. Edna Ibru (née Park), the former First Lady of Delta State and Miss Nigeria 1964, has passed away at the age of 80. She died on Wednesday in a London hospital after a brief illness. 

Edna, who was the first Nigerian and African to represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe competition, was the wife of Olorogun Felix Ibru, the first civilian Governor of Delta State from 1991 to 1992.

The Ibru family, hailing from Agbarha-Otor Kingdom in Delta State, confirmed her death in a statement issued by her son, Dr. Paul Ibru, which was shared with journalists in Warri on Saturday. Edna Ibru is survived by two children.

“Our amazing mother passed into glory on Wednesday 15, January 2025 after a brief illness”, the statement partly read.

It continued, “Until her death, she was full of life and we never expected her to leave us so soon but we cannot question the will of God in her precious life.

“She was a lover of people, a mediator, a mother to many, outrageously humorous, deeply caring, down to earth, full of stories all of the time, and we will miss her very dearly.”

Paul added that arrangements for her burial would be announced by the family later.