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AFTER being away for about two months, the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, returned yesterday to a grand reception in Abuja.
Dame Jonathan, who was welcome amid tight security at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, stated that she neither did cosmetic surgery nor tummy tuck as widely reported.
The crowd, comprising mostly women, youth groups and traditional dancers, dressed in colourful outfit, sang and danced, thanking God for the safe arrival of the First Lady.
Also on hand to receive her were all female ministers and other presidential aides.
An elated Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs Diezani Alison-Maduekwe, who was also at the airport, said: “We thank God she is back and she is well”.
The First Lady, however, appeared emaciated and pale.
Conspicuously missing in her were her usual heavy jewellery and make-up.
She simply dressed in a multi-coloured caftan with detailed designs and a matching head tie.
Dame Jonathan thanked God Almighty for giving her a second chance to serve Nigerians, particularly women, children and the less privileged.
The First Lady condemned those who insinuated that she was going to die like General Sani Abacha, Mrs. Stella Obasanjo and President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
She urged Nigerians to pray for those in government, saying it is a privilege to serve at this time.
Her words: “I thank God Almighty for bringing me back safely to Nigeria. Wherever there are good people, there are also bad ones. There are a few Nigerians that are saying whatever they like, not what God planned because God has a plan for all of us.
“And God has said it all that when two or three are gathered in His name, He will be with them. Nigerians gathered and prayed for me and God listened and heard their prayers, so, I thank God for that. At the same time, I will use this opportunity to tell those few ones that are saying that anybody that goes to Villa or Aso Rock will die.
They mentioned Abacha, they mentioned Stella Obasanjo, they mentioned Yar’Adua. But why didn’t they mention those who were there with their families, succeeded and came out alive? We should remember that Aso Rock is the seat of power and that is where God has ordained for Nigerians that our leaders should rule from and to rule us right. God is wonderful.
“At the same time, I read in the media where they said I was in the hospital. God Almighty knows I have never been to that hospital, I don’t even know the hospital they mentioned.
“I have to explain what God has done for me. I do not have terminal illness, neither did I do any cosmetic surgery, talk more or less of tummy tuck. My husband loves me as I am and I am pleased with how God created me. I cannot add anything.
“But at the same time, I will use this opportunity to thank my beloved husband and my children and my staff in general and all Nigerians for standing by me during my trial time.
“God has given me a second chance to come and work with women of Nigeria, children and the less privileged. I have come to serve Nigeria, I have come to work with Nigerians.
I am there for them. Once more, I am pleased to be back. I love Nigerians, they are my family”.
The First Lady returned to the embrace of her husband, children and her mother-in-law, Mrs. Eunice Jonathan, and her domestic staff at about 5 p.m.
Her staff sang in their dialect, clapping and dancing. The song translated means “Thank you God. You have done us good. Thank God. Lord you have done us good. Thank you”.
They turned out in printed T-shirts with her pictures and with the printed words: “We love you, we miss you, welcome back. May you live long”.
Some of the dignitaries were the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Henry Dickson, ministers, the Chief of Staff, State House Chief of Protocol (SCOPE), Special Advisers, Chief Personal Physician, and other senior media aides working in the Presidency.
