Eko Hot Blog reports that the former President Goodluck Jonathan expressed deep sorrow over the passing of his elder sister, Madam Obebhatein Jonathan, revealing that he received the devastating news while in London.
Madam Obebhatein, aged 70, breathed her last on January 11, 2024, leaving behind a trail of grief in the Jonathan family.
Jonathan, speaking at her funeral in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, acknowledged the poignant timing of her death, occurring when a significant gathering of high-profile personalities could pay their respects.
He lamented that the mournful aspect was his aged mother, Mama Eunice Afeni-Jonathan, who had to bid farewell to her last surviving child.
The former President called on the clergy and people of goodwill not to relent in their prayers, particularly for his traumatised mother and the Jonathan family at large.
He reflected on the impact of his sister’s departure and expressed gratitude for the support received from the Bayelsa State First Lady and other compassionate individuals.
“Death, as they say, is something we all pass through, but the time it comes also matters. Yes, we all will die someday, but 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,” Jonathan remarked solemnly.
The grieving former President further shared, “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 who came around her because I was then in London. If you knew what she used to be and what she is now, you will know that she is still traumatised. So continue to pray for my mum. God will see us through. I thank you.”
In response to the heart-wrenching loss, Bayelsa State Governor Diri extended condolences to the Jonathan family.
Represented by Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Governor Diri affirmed the state government’s support for the grieving family, emphasizing the inevitability of death for all and the importance of what follows.
“It is appointed unto all men to die, but what is more significant is what follows after death,” stated Deputy Governor Ewhrudjakpo on behalf of Governor Diri.
As the Jonathan family navigates this difficult period, the call for continued prayers resonates, encapsulating the shared grief and the hope for solace in the wake of Madam Obebhatein Jonathan’s departure.
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