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…Diri Too Extols Jonathan’s Late Elder Sister’s Resilience
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said the lose of his only surviving elder sister sibling remains the most surprising and yet heartbreaking news he had heard for a long time.
Jonathan stated this at the weekend in Otuoke town, his country him in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa state during the obsequious ceremony of his late elder sister, Ms Obebhatein Jonathan.
In his tribute tagged: ‘Tribute To Sister OBEBHATEIN’, which was made available to NationalWire by the Communication officer of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Mr Wealth Dickson Ominabo, the erstwhile Nigerian President was quoted deeply mourning the passing of his only surviving elder sister.
The tributes read in parts: “Can I, in all honesty, say adieu to my dear loving sister Obebh?Sister Obebhatein is gone!
“How I wish I could turn back the hands of time. How can she depart the world now when our mum is in her nineties and knowing that our mum has only two of us as her surviving children.
“No! I still find it hard to believe that the only sibling I have from my mum is dead. The news of her death was the most devastating and unkind news that my ears suffered to hear for as long as I can remember. It was too hard to process and bear now that the family has come to accept the Grim Reaper’s cold jab. Yes, I knew she was ill, but I believed she would pull through. Little did I expect death to come knocking so soon.
“I was in Bayelsa State on December 27, 2023, and stayed through the New Year period. During that period, I spent some time with her. I noticed that my elder sister was up and about, even attended some ceremonies but a bit frail in her gait. But she assured me that it was no longer so much of a concern. I still insisted that her doctor should conduct a comprehensive check on her and advise on the best course to take for her full recovery.
“I had a personal matter to sort out abroad, so I travelled on January 8, my thoughts were squarely on my sister. In my head, I had worked out a plan to send her to a specialist hospital for a follow-up and comprehensive examination once I returned. But that was not to be.Later, I got to hear that the Federal Medical Center, Yenagoa did their best to avail her of the necessary care, especially when her condition suddenly worsened”.
Jonathan notes that while trying to make his late elder sister to recuperate, management of the health facility where she was being attended to assembled many consultants, including endocrinologists and neurologists, and carried out an MRI scan and other required tests in a bid to stabilise her, saying however, that her health deteriorated so fast, such that the cold hands of death could not be stopped.
“Her death is terribly traumatising. We know we will all die, but the time and circumstances of death are critical and significant.Now that she is gone, can our mother take this news? Can she survive it? I did not brief my mother in detail about why I had to travel abroad, but I reckon that someone may have told her that I could also see a doctor during the trip. That must have been a piece of information too dense for her to digest. Is she losing her only two surviving children at the same time, at such an advanced age?
“My mother had ten live births, but eight died before their first birthday. I could only imagine the devastating storm the development had triggered in her psyche.
“Sister Obebh exited this world at the wrong time. Mama will have to contend with the eternal absence and loss of a daughter who had, over time, become a mother and grandmother and her companion in her old age.
“Since my late elder sister retired from teaching ten years ago, she has become our mother’s associate, friend, confidant, and key support system.
“There was a special bond between me and my sister. She was the only sister I knew growing up, and I was her only brother from childhood. Together we lived, dreamed, played, laughed, loved, fought, and stood for each other.
“In the tapestry of my life, there are threads of love, humility, companionship, and an unbreakable bond that belongs solely to Obebh, my dear elder sister. As I write this, my heart is heavy with sorrow yet overflowing with gratitude for all that God led her to do for me”, Jonathan said.
“Obebh, from the beginning, you were not just a sister, but also a guide, a confidant, and a fellow dream-weaver. Together, we navigated the labyrinth of life, chasing shared dreams with a determination known only to those who truly understand the power of close sibling camaraderie.
“I’ m eternally grateful, blessed beyond measure, to have grown up alongside you, my beloved sister”, he added in his tribute.
Meanwhile, former President Jonathan has said even though his late elder sister is no longer with his family in body, her memory, and the love they shared will forever remain in his heart.
“Thank you for the cherished moments, the unspoken understanding, and the unwavering support. You will always be a part of me, and I will carry your legacy with honour. We are all grieving now, but we are hoping for Almighty God to comfort and strengthen all of us.
“We will take solace in the fact that you were an exemplary woman and role model who lived a dedicated life of service to God and humanity.
“Farewell, my dear sister, until we meet again”, he wrote, in the concluding part of his tribute.
In his remarks, Governor Douye Diri said his heart and support of the entire state government were with the Jonathan family, especially his nonagenarian mother, Mama Eunice Jonathan.
The Bayelsa state Governor who spoke through his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, noted it was appointed unto all men to die, but what is more significant is what follows after death.
While underscoring the fact that the late Madam Obebhatein Jonathan attained the age of 70 before she met her death, governor Diri lamented that she would have done a lot more for family and society.
He encouraged the young ones to emulate the deceased’s enterprising spirit of determination and courage to have continued with her education from primary school at the age 23 after giving birth to three children and strived to obtain a Bachelor of Education (B. Ed) degree.
“Our hearts are heavy with the Jonathan family, especially our mother. It’s appointed unto us to die, although we don’t choose when to die.
“Your elder sister lived well and attained 70 years, yet had much more to offer her family and society.
“From her biography, it’s clear she went back to complete primary education at the age of 23, and went on to obtain her B.Ed. Meaning that she didn’t allow her humble background to put her back on the ground. There are lots of lessons to learn from her life”, Diri said.
In his funeral sermon, “Encourage One Another”, the Bishop of Northern Izon Diocese, Anglican Communion, Right Revd Funkuro Amgbari, exhorted believers to use the Word of God to comfort one another at trying moments including death.
Citing John Chapter 14 Verse 3 from the Bible, the clergy called on Christian faithful to use their time diligently in serving God and humanity while alive, stressung the need for them to be in right standing with God at all times as no one knows where, when and how he or she will die.
