Former President Goodluck Jonathan said that he received the devastating news of his elder sister’s death, Madam Obebhatein Jonathan, while he was in London.
He stated this at her funeral at Otuoke in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Friday.
Jonathan noted that Madam Obebhatein, who passed away at the age of 70 on January 11 2024, was his only surviving sibling from his aged mother, Mama Eunice Afeni-Jonathan.
He said his sister left at a time when a huge gathering of high-profile personalities from all over the country could come to Otuoke to pay their respects, adding that the sad part was that it was her aged mother who was mourning her death.
The former President, therefore, called on the clergy and people of goodwill not to relent in their prayers for his traumatised mother, himself and the entire members of the Jonathan family.
Jonathan said, “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.
“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 his remarks, Governor Diri said his heart and support of the entire state government were with the Jonathan family, especially his nonagenarian mother, Mama Eunice Jonathan.
Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, noted it was appointed unto all men to die, but what is more significant is what follows after death.