President Goodluck Jonathan was joined by dignitaries to receive his bereaved wife, Patience, who returned to Abuja last night from Geneva.
On hand to condole with the First Family were former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BOT), Tony Anenih and Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state among others.
Mrs. Jonathan arrived the Presidential Villa at 21.40 hours. She was in Geneva for the conference of International Telecommunications Union (ITU) when she received the news of the death of her foster mother, Mrs. Charity Oba, fondly called ‘Sisi Mama’.
Mrs. Oba was involved in a ghastly auto crash on Monday in Port Harcourt while returning from Bayelsa. Dignitaries have since been sending condolence messages.
At the residence were the President’s mother, Eunice; wife of Bayelsa State governor; Ministers of Transport, Senator Idris Umar; Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah; and Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo.
Also on hand to receive the First Lady were the Ministers of Science and Technology, Prof Bassey Ewa; Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke, as well as some presidential aides.
The Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo led a prayer session for the First family before dignitaries departed the residence.
Since the news broke on Monday, there has not been official statement from the First Lady. But, one of her aides who spoke on condition of anonymity on Tuesday said Mrs. Jonathan was still in shock and devastated.
