Nigerians from all walks of life thronged Otuoke, the hometown of Dr Goodluck Jonathan in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State as the former President buried his elder sister, Madam Obebhatein Jonathan who died at the age of 70.
Dignitaries in attendance include former Anambra State governor and Presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, Taraba State governor, Agbu Kefas, his Bayelsa state counterpart, Douye Diri, former Senate President and Secretary to the Federal Government, Anyim Pius Anyim, Minister of State Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC), Dr Sam Ogbuku, Senator Bayelsa West an former governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson , Bayelsa state top government officials and traditional rulers
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Goodluck Jonathan said he received the devastating news of his elder sister’s death while he was in London, noting that she was the only surviving sibling of his from his aged mother, Mama Eunice Afeni-Jonathan.
The former Nigerian President, who said the sad part was that it was her aged mother who is mourning her, begged the clergy and all people of goodwill not to relent in their prayers for his traumatized mother, himself and the entire members of the Jonathan family.
His words: “Death, as they say, is something that we all pass through. But the time it comes also matters; yes, we all will die some day but the time matters.
“My elder sister died at a time that we can gather these celebrities to celebrate her, but that our mother is to mourn her is the nasty aspect of the whole thing.
“My mother has lost her first child that ought to mourn her when God calls her. I have to sincerely thank the Bayelsa State First lady and other women that came around her, because I was then in London.
“If you know what she used to be and what she is now, you will know that she is still traumatized. So continue to pray for my mum. God will see us through. I thank you.”
In his remarks, Governor Douye Diri said his heart and support of the entire state government were with the Jonathan family, especially his nonagenarian mother, Mama Eunice Jonathan.
Governor Diri, who spoke through his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, encouraged the young ones to emulate the deceased’s enterprising spirit of determination and courage to have continued with her education from primary school at the age 23 after giving birth to three children and strived to obtain a Bachelor of Education (B. Ed) degree.
“From her biography, it’s clear she went back to complete primary education at the age of 23, and went on to obtain her B.Ed. Meaning that she didn’t allow her humble background to put her back on the ground. There are lots of lessons to learn from her life.”
In his funeral sermon, “Encourage One Another”, the Bishop of Northern Izon Diocese, Anglican Communion, Right Revd Funkuro Amgbari, exhorted believers to use the Word of God to comfort one another at trying moments including death.
