Patience: More well-wishers throng Jonathan’s residence

October 19, 2012 by Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja  

 

For the second day running, more top government officials and well-wishers on Thursday thronged the Presidential Villa to congratulate the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, on her return to the country after what is believed to be a medical trip abroad.

Mrs. Jonathan returned to the country after about seven weeks of absence to a warm embrace of the President; his mother, Eunice, and other members of his household on Wednesday.

She was hosted to a reception organised by women and cultural organisations at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.

Since she arrived at the Presidential Villa, visitors have been falling over themselves to congratulate as well as catch a glimpse of her.

Among those who visited her on Thursday were governors Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi of Anambra and Rivers states respectively as well as some ministers who were unable to attend the Wednesday’s reception.

Wives of the governors of Kogi, Benue, Gombe, Abia, and Anambra states as well as some female members of the National Assembly also visited.

Mrs. Jonathan personally received the visitors at the Villa.

She has not yet resumed work at the Office of the First Lady.

Many intending visitors were turned back from the main gates of the Villa because they did not have a security pass.

Some of them, mainly women who wore in uniforms, arrived at the gates in buses bearing banners indicating the names of their groups.

Our correspondent learnt that even top government officials trooping in to greet her were being streamlined so as to give her the opportunity to rest.

The President is currently away on a visit to Niger Republic and Mali. He is expected back on Friday (today).

Although Jonathan is due in Bayelsa State over the weekend, it was not clear as of press time whether Patience will accompany him on the trip.

The visit will be Jonathan’s first since his house in Otuoke was flooded.

SOURCE: The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper 19 October 2012.