Yar’Adua absent as dignitaries praise Late Pa Jonathan

Soji Ajibola and Okey Muogbo, Yenagoa - 27.01.2008

President Umaru Yar’Adua was on Saturday absent at the final traditional burial rites of the father of the Vice-President, Late Pa Lawrence Ebele Jonathan held at the ancient town of Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government area of Bayelsa State.

This is just as notable citizens in the country led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, extolled the virtues of the Late Jonathan, describing him as the conscience of Otuoke people.

Representing President Yar’Adua at the occasion, the SGF said the President was unavoidably absent at the occasion as he was expected back in the country yesterday from Geneva where he had gone on official assignment.

Nevertheless, he said that he had been given the mandate to represent the federal government at the burial ceremony of the octogenarian whom he described as an upright and straight forward man during his life time.

He said the man had left behind a legacy worthy of emulation, adding that the kind of qualities exhibited by the Vice President was even enough to know the kind of person his father was when he was alive.

According to him, notable personalities in the country defied all odds to attend the burial ceremony because of the leadership qualities of Dr. Jonathan as he has demonstrated good quality of statesmanship in working with the President Yar’Adua in steering the ship of the State.

The qualities in him have taken him beyond the horizon of the creeks to the pinnacle of power in the country. Eulogising the late traditionalist, a renowned Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, described him as a rallying point as his death has brought together people from different ethnic nationalities.

With his death, dignitaries from other tribes who are visiting the region for the first time would appreciate better what the people of the Niger Delta region are passing through.

Regardless of the experience cum the age of long neglect, Chief Clark was resolute as he said that the country would remain an indivisible entity, saying, Nigeria will remain an indivisible entity but appealed for the understanding of the people from the other regions of the country.

His words, “dignitaries who are visiting the region for the first time will understand our plight as regards the neglect and the underdevelopment of the region. With what you have seen, you will understand our plight better.

“I have spoken to the youths and sought their understanding. We are not going to anywhere. We believe in dialogue and the trend will continue.”

Speaking on behalf of other state governors, Dr. Bukola Saraki of Kwara State, while eulogising the virtues of the late father of the Vice-President, described the large turn out as testimony to the kind of person, the octogenarian was while alive.

He said the 36 states governors are here to pay tribute to the late father of the Vee-Pee who, according to him ,had contributed immensely to the growth of the state.

The former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, (rtd) prayed for the repose of the soul of the late traditionalist.

The host governor, Chief Timipre Sylva ,while corroborating the position of Chief Clark, said peace has come to stay in Ijaw nation.

“Yenagoa is one of the safest places in Nigeria . When we came in here, it was not a palatable story but between myself and the Governor of Delta State we adopted a strategy and the coming of the guests is an opportunity for them to see how safe the state is.” the Governor stated.

While extolling the virtues of late Pa Lawrence Ebele Jonathan, the state chief executive noted that the late icon’s greatness went beyond being just father to one who raised an illustrious son who is the vice president of the country.

e said it was a thing of joy for the state to produce the country’s vice president, a position which, according to him, has made Bayelsa “the little Bethlehem of Nigeria.”

In his vote of thanks, Dr. Jonathan, while recalling his experience as a youth, said that he was a truant but for the efforts of his father who instilled discipline in him, he would have been a failure.

Dignitaries present include, Senator David Mark, Chief Ernest Sonekan, Chief Solomon Lar, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, Dr. (Mrs) Iyabo Obasanjo representing the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Basil Omiyi of SPDC, Chief Rochas Okorocha, Professor Kimse Okoko, governors of Kwara, Delta, Oyo, Edo, Ekiti, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Ebonyi, Benue, governors representatives from other states across the country and the wives of the governors.

Others are senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, members of the House of Representatives, ministers, members of the states House of Assembly, diplomats, top government functionaries and host of others.