The Media Assistant to Mrs. Jonathan, Mr.
Ayo Adewuyi, in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja said
the wife of the President is currently in Congo for the celebration of the 30th
anniversary of
a non-governmental organisation, Congo Assistance
Foundation, floated by the Congolese First Lady, Madam Antoinette
Sassou-Nguesso.
However, the statement which was made Thursday morning after a long silence on the whereabouts of the First Lady, did not disclose when Mrs. Jonathan arrived Congo or when she is expected back in Nigeria but only stated that she was received
on arrival by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Congo Brazzaville, Princess
Onipede and top Congolese officials.
Since March 28 when the President lost his re-election bid, Dame Patience Jonathan has not been seen
attending any public event inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja. She was also absent at the funeral service held in honour of her husbands aid Late Oronto Douglas in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The President and his wife voted in
the Presidential Election in Otuoke, Bayelsa State and the First lady stayed back in
her home state, Rivers State, during the April 11 governorship election.
According to Adewuyi’s statement, “First Lady,
Dame Patience Faka Jonathan, is in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo,
joining other African First Ladies for the celebration of the 30th
Anniversary of Congo Assistance Foundation, an NGO of Congolese First
Lady, Madam Antoinette Sassou-Nguesso.
“The Foundation established in 1984 has
engendered social action in the areas of health, education, skills
acquisition in favour of indigent people of Congo.
“Dame Patience Jonathan runs similar
organisation in Nigeria, the Aruera Reach-out Foundation which also
focuses on the uplift of women and children, the needy and imprisoned.
“The First Ladies of Benin Republic,
Senegal, Mali, Tchad, Niger, Guinea Conakry are also in Brazzaville for
the grand finale of the week-long programmes, during which a National
Centre for Sickle Cell Disease was inaugurated.
“Dame Patience Jonathan was received on
arrival by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Congo Brazzaville, Princess Onipede,
in company of top Congolese officials.”
