Patience Jonathan Causes Shutdown of Port Harcourt Airspace for over 4 Hours

The airspace of the Port Harcourt airport was shut for over four hours yesterday due to the movement of the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan out of the state.

It was observed that the authorities of the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, decided to shut the airspace in respect of Mrs. Jonathan, who was supposed to leave the Rivers State capital for Abuja after the burial rites of her foster mother, late Madam Charity Oba.

It was gathered that the development paralyzed activities at the airport on Monday. 

Mrs. Jonathan was scheduled to depart Port Harcourt airport, with an 11.45am flight to Abuja, but the flight was delayed till 5pm.

As a result of this, the activities of commercial flights were affected and there was no movement of planes to and from the airport between 12.30pm and 5pm when she finally departed.

Is President Jonathan Blushing?

The two leaders were pictured at the Waldonowrf Hotel, New York yesterday, Monday September 23rd, exchanging pleasantries I guess.

Someone please help me out, I know dark complexioned people don't blush, but what's that on our presido's face? #justasking

See him smiling below: 

BREAKING: President Jonathan Sacks 9 Ministers

President Goodluck Jonathan has reshuffled his cabinet, dropping nine ministers. Presidential spokesman Dr, Reuben Abati confirmed it, today.

The sacked ministers are: 

• Ruqayat Rufai (Minister of Education) - Jigawa State
• Zainab Ibrahim Kunchi (Minister of Power) - Niger state
• Buka Tijani (Minister of State, Agriculture) - Borno State
• Shamsudeen Usman (National Planning) - Kano State
• Ita Okon (Science and Technology);  
• Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru (Minister of Foreign Affairs); 
• Ama Pepple (Minister of Lands and Housing) - Rivers State
• Hadiza Mailafia (Minister of Environment) - Kaduna 
• Erelu Olusola Obada (Minister of State Defence) - Osun State

I wonder why though? Will this really help the economy of the nation? 

I shunned Rivers Deputy Governor because they refused to mourn with me – Patience Jonathan

First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has explained why she shunned the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Mr. Tele Ikuru, at the Port Harcourt airport recently.

According to Mrs. Jonathan, her reason was not unconnected to the refusal of senior officials of the Rivers State Government to pay her a condolence visit when she lost her foster mother.

The First Lady said she was disappointed that the Rivers State government could not send any delegation from the state despite the fact that several groups and individuals from across the country came to commiserate with her.

Mrs. Jonathan said this in a statement issued by her spokesman, Mrs. Ayo Adesugba.

She was reacting to media reports that she shunned Ikuru, Rivers State Deupty Governor when she arrived at the Port Harcourt airport during the weekend.

The bereaved President’s wife added that she decided to make her visit to the state unannounced in order not to attract the attention of those she described as mischief makers, as she would prefer to stay off the ongoing political tussle in the state.

The statement reads in full;

The attention of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has been drawn to reports carried in some sections of the media alleging that top officials of the Rivers government, including the Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru who came to receive the First Lady, were shielded from Dame Jonathan on her arrival at Port Harcourt International Airport yesterday, (18/08/2013). Some of the media reports went to the extent of alleging that Dame Jonathan “snubbed” the Deputy Governor.

It is important to set the record straight in order to prevent the public from being misled. The First Lady arrived in Rivers State yesterday for a private visit, to make arrangements for the burial of her late mother with members of her extended family.

Customarily, the wife of the State Governor receives the First Lady whenever she visits any state. That is why the wife of Bayelsa State Governor traveled from Yenagoa to receive the First Lady. Ordinarily, one would have expected the same complement from the wife of the Rivers State Governor.

It is instructive to note that since the death of Mrs. Charity Oba, the mother of the First Lady, several groups and individuals from across the country have come to condole the First Family at the State House, Abuja. They include Executive State Governors and their wives from all the political divides; Nigeria’s former Presidents and Heads of State and their wives, captains of industry, female Ambassadors and High Commissioners of Nigeria, other members of the diplomatic corps, royal fathers and traditional leaders – the list is too numerous to call. However, the Governor and the wife from the State which the First Lady hails have not paid such a visit.

It should be clear to all that for quite some time now, the First Lady has refrained from commenting on issues relating to the politics of Rivers State. Dame Patience does not want her name to be used to heat up the polity. We therefore urge that the name of the First Lady be left out of the politics in Rivers State.

 The First Lady, like any Nigerian, is free to visit the state of her birth. Dame Jonathan bears no grudge towards anyone as she is an individual who continues to tirelessly advocate for peace and harmony in Nigeria. We therefore reiterate that the First Lady’s name be left out of the politics in the State.

 

Ayo Adesugba (Mrs.)

Director (Information)

Nigeria's First Lady Patience Jonathan To Bury Late Foster Mother, October 31st

The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has disclosed that the burial of her late foster mother, Mrs Charity Oba, would take place on Oct. 31, 2013

Mrs. Jonathan made the announcement on Tuesday in Abuja when former first ladies visited her to condole with her on the death of Oba, fondly called 'Mama Sisi'.

She said: "Words cannot express how happy I am when you all came in this evening.

"It is only when you love someone you can share in their happy or sad moment. The burial will be on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1," she said.

The president’s wife expressed sadness over the loss of her mother.

"My regret is that I couldn’t reward her enough before her death because I was just two years when my mum gave me to her.

"She was my friend and confidant. She moved with me to my husband’s house, took care of my children because I had no nanny. She was more than a mother to me."

Chief Tony Anenih @ 80 ... Photos from the Celebration, yesterday

Chief. Tony Anenih, the chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees turned 80 yesterday, Sunday August 4, 2013. 

As expected, it was indeed a big day and was marked in grand style, attracting the shakers and movers of Nigeria's politics to the event in Abuja.

 

President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience were also there to celebrate with the Octogenarian who is known for his unparalleled political magic touch. Former heads of states; Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, AbdulSalami Abubakar also attended. 

Also present was one of Chief Anenih's supposed top political enemy in Edo state, Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

 

See more photos below:

Nigeria's First Lady Patience Jonathan Opens Up on Rivers' Fracas, Says: I Cannot Fight Amaechi Because He Is My Son

Dame Patience Jonathan First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has finally opened up on the genesis of the political crisis rocking Rivers State, Nigeria.

According to her, it started four years ago. 

The president's wife who spoke at the Presidential Villa during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, by 16 bishops from the South-South geo-political zone, said Gov. Amaechi is her son and he shouldn't let outsiders use him against his own blood.

See how the News Agency of Nigeria reports it:
    The First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, said in Abuja on Wednesday that she had committed the ongoing crisis in Rivers to prayer and that crisis started as far back as four years ago.
    Rivers has been embroiled in a political crisis which culminated in a free for all at the House of Assembly last week, with some members injured.
    Jonathan said this during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa by 16 bishops from the South-South geo-political zone.
    "Rivers state issue is one thing I’ve committed to prayer because I believe there is nothing God cannot do. God restored me and I’ll do His work without the fear of man.
    "The truth will always remain the truth and what God ordains must come to pass and so Rivers issue is something we’ve handed over to God."

    The president’s wife said contrary to some reports, she had always mediated between Gov. Chibuike Amaechi and other parties in a crisis that began four years ago.
    "This matter started as far back as four years ago at Anyugubiri in Okrika when I begged him not to demolish a part of Okrika but (that he should) dialogue first with the people.
    "After that incident, he called the chairman of Okrika (local government) and sacked him for holding a reception in our honour; that boy was the first victim.
    "He also put my people on curfew for nine months. I called him and pleaded with him but he refused. Then I began to hear all sort of propaganda in the media against me; this is not the way.
    "I’ve never spoken about this issue but as men of God, I believe you’ll say the truth always because there are a lot of conflicting interests; some will hear one thing and say the exact opposite.
    "I also want you to know the genesis of this problem and pray that God touches Amaechi’s heart as per his hot temper because when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers."

Patience Jonathan urged the parties involved in the crisis to help to resolve issues plaguing the state and not "whip up sentiments" that will aggravate the problem.
    "I appeal to Amaechi to sheathe his sword so that we can defend our state and this country with love, unity, patriotism and truth at all time.
    "Hebrews 12:14 urges us to embrace peace with all men without which, we cannot see God.

    "Amaechi is my son, I cannot fight him and I cannot kill him. He shouldn’t be used by outsiders against his own blood because this seat is vanity.

    "One day, no matter how long it takes, we will leave this seat. Power is not forever. This seat is vanity, others sat here and left so one day I’ll also leave and we will meet at home; so why should I fight him?
    "Let’s take it easy, face issues, leave non-existent matters, stop magnifying lies and respect our leaders and people in authority. Let’s give peace a chance," she said.

    Earlier, Bishop God-Do-Well Awomapara, Chairman, Niger Delta Bishops Forum, who led the delegation, said the visit was significant "in view of emerging situations in our region".
 

    "We are on a quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding the Rivers issue and mediate where necessary."

Nigerians challenge President's wife, Patience Jonathan to debate with Prof. Wole Soyinka

Some Nigerians on Sunday asked the wife of the President, Patience Jonathan, to make herself available for a debate with Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.

The call came on the heels of the diatribe the First Lady launched against Soyinka in which she described the renowned playwright as an "embarrassment" for attributing the crisis rocking Rivers State to her and her husband, President Goodluck Jonathan.

But some Nigerians, who took to Twitter and other social networks to voice their concern over the development, called on  a Lagos-based private broadcaster, Channels Television, to organise a debate for the two.

According to them, the TV station’s Sunrise Daily, a news and current affairs programme that features prominent Nigerians, who are experts in their areas of specialisation, will provide a level playing ground for the duo to thrash out the knotty issues they were arguing on.

To actualise their dreams, a cross section of them sent messages in a tweet to the handle of the programme @sunrisedailynow as well as the main official handle of the television station, @Channels_TV on Sunday.

A Twitter user, with the name Abdul Slimzy, tweeting via @abdulslimzy said, "It would be really nice to see Patience Jonathan and Wole Soyinka argue on Channels TV @sunrisedailynow in English Language o."

An anonymous reader on lindaikeji.blogspot.com said, "Kindly call on Channels TV to organise a debate between Prof. Wole Soyinka and Dame Patience Jonathan.  I know we go laugh pass ‘Night of a Thousand Laugh.’"’

Another user of the micro-blogging service with the name, Hig-Wayne Cannon, who uses the handle @dosinclair, said he would be looking forward to the debate on national TV as it would be a clash of the titans. Cannon notes, "You can expect a volcanic grammatical literary of freestyles. What a collabo #Titans."

However, some users of the micro-blogging service boasted that the wife of the President would come out tops after the debate. One of such users of the social network who beat his chest on this was Yakubu Dogara who tweets via @doyakubu.

He says, "I bet it that Dame Patience will win the debate as it will be unwise for the Prof. (Wole Soyinka) to attend much more utter a word."

Another Nigerian tweeting via @hobalawon said Soyinka, who clocked 79 on Saturday, should simply steer clear of joining issues with the First Lady and save himself from being on the receiving end of public bashing which he described as "lethal weapon" emanating from her.

The social network user noted, "Prof, even at 79, we still need you around."

Meanwhile, the exchange of diatribe between the duo has divided Nigerians on social networks. While a section of Nigerians argue that the First Lady shouldn’t have descended heavily on Soyinka and that the onslaught was unpresidential, others maintained that Soyinka got what he deserved.

On nairaland.com, a Nigerian with the name, My Time, argued, "I still maintain that Patience Jonathan has no moral justification to attack the professor. Her only portfolio is being the wife of the President. Soyinka has achieved a lot and demands respect. He is one of our national icons and a gift to this nation. He commands more respect outside the shores of this country than she does and can ever get."

An anonymous visitor on the blog noted, "I see this current government and her (Patience Jonathan) agenda losing their taste of civility and moral standing. I don’t see any reason why the First Lady should talk to an elderly statesman with such verbal brutality, irrespective of what he (Soyinka) said to her. Really, I think it’s quite unpresidential."

However, those who believe that Soyinka deserved Patience Jonathan’s onslaught against him said it was wrong for Soyinka to insult another man’s wife in the first place. They noted that since Soyinka had descended into an arena of conflict, he could not avoid such a treatment.

On lindaikeji.blogspot.com, one Abidoh Jonathan said, "Why exactly are people abusing the First Lady? Prof. Wole Soyinka made a derogatory remark about her, and she reacted with an on-point come back. What is the big deal? If you ask me, I think the Prof stooped too low to comment and link the First Lady to the current crisis rocking Rivers State. He is a renowned Prof. but hello, she too is still the First Lady now and she deserves some respect."

Source:Punch

What's your take on this???

I Did Not Come to Port Harcourt To Unseat Governor Amaechi – Patience Jonathan

 

Contrary to speculations, wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, on Sunday said her current visit to Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, is not meant to unseat Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Mrs. Jonathan, an indigene of the state, had been in the news for allegedly backing the anti-Amaechi members of the state House of Assembly, with a view to removing the factional chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, an allegation she has denied.

In a statement by her spokesman, Ayo Osinlu, the President’s wife said none of the purposes of her latest visit to the state had to do with politics.

She said apart from the fact that the entire country was her constituency, she equally had the liberty to visit any part of the state.

The statement reads, 

“We have observed reports in some of today’s (Sunday’s) national dailies which are an obvious attempt by certain interests to link the current visit of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, with a desire to unseat the governor of the state.

“For the purpose of protecting the innocent public from misinformation by these interests, it becomes important for us to state the facts of the First Lady’s presence in Port Harcourt as follows:

“Her Excellence was the Special Guest of Honour at the official commissioning of the Yitzhak Rabin International School, Port Harcourt on Friday, June 15, during which she also received an award from the Yitzhak Rabin Centre for African Development for her successful advocacy for women empowerment and the achievement of enduring peace in Nigeria and around the continent.

“She also featured eminently as Mother of the Day at the wedding of her brother and member of the Rivers State Legislature, Evans Bipi, on Saturday.

“The First Lady will finally receive well wishers at the burial of her grandfather on Sunday, the 23rd.

“It is difficult to see how any of the activities above is associated with the political circumstances of anyone.

“Perhaps we need to remind those who are crying wolf and are being harassed by their own ghost, that Rivers is the home state of the First Lady, which makes her a principal stakeholder with all the rights and privileges to visit the state as she considers needful.

“This is besides the fact that the entire country is her constituency as mother of the nation, a situation that comes with the liberty to visit any part thereof at will.”