Nigeria’s former president, Goodluck Jonathan, has appealed to Nigerians to preserve the country’s cultural heritage.
He made the appeal at the thanksgiving service of his late sister, Madam Obebhatein Jonathan at the St. Stephen Anglican Church, Otuoke town, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Southern, Nigeria.
According to him, religious belief should not make people discard their traditions as well as cultural heritage because they served as a way of life for the people.
“We know that God is everywhere but we must practice our traditional rites during burials. The Anglican church is very strict in their activitiess. I was worried that they will not accept the burial place and venue of the funeral service of my late sister“.
“I thought what happened to our late paramount ruler, King Lots Ogiasa would happen to my sister because the community then did not meet the Anglian church 28 days deadline for burial arrangements and the church did not bury him“.
The former president said he was not happy that the King was not buried by the Anglican church because, the king was a core member who contributed immensely to the growth of the church.
He thanked the Bayelsa State government and all the dignitaries that came to witness the thanksgiving service of his late sister.
He also used the opportunity to express support for the association of Ogbia brotherhood, Women Wing, led by the chairperson, Bayelsa State, Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Love Amasoma.
In the same vein, the Bayelsa State, governor, Senator Douye Diri, who was represented by the Bayelsa State Secretary to government (SSG), Gideon Ekeuwei, described late Mrs. Obebhatein as a role model for Bayelsa women and urged Dr. Jonathan to accept her departure as the will of God.
“I urge you to be strong, have faith and unity in God. Your sister has done well in the humanity service by using her money to contribute for the work of God and urge people to follow her steps,” Mr. Gideon Ekeuwei, added.
Madam Obebhatein, died on the 11th of January 2024 at Federal Medical Center (FMC), Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, Southern, Nigeria after a brief illness.
Comments are closed.