LAGOS JULY 26TH (URHOBOTODAY)-President Goodluck Jonathan has described his late mother in-law, Mrs. Charity Oba as a woman with rare attributes and was willing to share the little she has with everybody.
He said this when Vice President Namadi Sambo led members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to condole the President and First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan over the death of her mother.
President Jonathan who said the family has been deeply pained since the news of her death was broken to them, said his mother in-law was dear to them and was responsible in bringing the First Lady up.
While thanking the Vice President as well as members of the FEC for finding time out of their busy schedule to pay the visit, said though Mrs. Oba was gone, they will be able to pull through with support of friends and family, craving for more prayers for the family to pull through this difficult time.
“Welcome you for finding time to pay this condolence visit.
“We appreciate your concern and commitment.
“Our mother that died is quite dear to us not just today that we are playing politics. The first lady stayed with her till she grew up. This lady never complained and even for me as an in-law I was free with her, she shares with she has. She used her servings from trade to support us. It is very difficult to have somebody with such rare attributes.
“That is why when we heard about the death we were very pained. So that is the trauma we have been passing through and we thank you for coming to commiserate with us.
“Even if she is gone we have friends to comfort us to enable us bear this loss. You will be duly informed about the burial plans. We crave for your continuous prayers to enable us bear the loss”.
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice President said, as members of one family in the FEC, they were particularly sadden by the death of the mother of the First Lady, and they share in the grief of the first family.
He said, “Your Excellency, we gave to condole you on the death of our mother and we may pray for her soul to rest in peace.
“We will continue to pray that God grant her eternal peace.
“We pray God to give you the fortitude to bear the loss.
“It is sad for all of us because we are part of the family and we share in your grief. We pray God to give her peace in eternity”.
The Chaplain of Aso Villa, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba led the prayers for the repose of late Mrs. Oba’s soul.
Meanwhile, the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, has paid glowing tribute to her late mother, Madam Charity Oba, stating that she was “a mother in a million who was a devoted mother and a devout Christian.”
Mrs. Jonathan recalled that Madam Charity Oba, who was the younger sister of her biological mother, had raised her from a tender age and made her the person who she is today.
The First Lady, who was being consoled by her mother in-law, Mrs. Eunice Jonathan, remarked philosophically that “God knows best.”, when sympathisers including former Head of State, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Anthony Anenih and some top aides.
The residence of the first family has become a mecca of some sought since the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan returned to the country Wednesday night.
Some delegations that have already come and gone include that of the Rivers and Bayelsa states.
The First Lady also received State Governors who came to commiserate with her over the death of her mother.
Speaking on behalf of the Governors, Dr. Godswill Akpabio, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, urged Mrs. Jonathan to take heart, while offering the deep condolences of the PDP family to the First Lady and her extended family.
In response, the First Lady thanked the governors for their prayers and for their concern.
State Governors present included that of Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Kogi, Katsina and Enugu States.Also present were Ministers, Heads of Government Agencies, wives of top government officials as well as Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Ambassador of Nigeria to Spain.

Source: Frontiernews