Yes, that was how I first saw the headline too
late Thursday October 23, 2014. Another
headline screamed at me, “Wife of President
Jonathan Resigns.” Well, that almost ruined
my evening and I had moderate heart
palpitations. I mean, of all the news you don’t
want to hear, that was right up there. Mrs
Patience Jonathan resigned?
It was only after I had gone through a few
lines of the ‘breaking news’ that I realised Mrs
Jonathan merely resigned her job as a
Permanent Secretary in the much discomfited
State of Bayelsa.
For those who might not be aware, since the
summer of 2012, Mrs Jonathan has doubled
as a Permanent Secretary (of Education, would
you believe!) down in Bayelsa. It is one of
those things that only happens in Nigeria; so
no real need to try and understand it now.
Anyway, apparently, the lady’s had enough of
whatever it was she was doing – or not doing
– and has packed that gig in. Presumably,
she wants to concentrate her considerable
energies on other things. Fair enough.
I don’t blame Mrs Jonathan. I’d have done
the same thing if I were in her shoes; what
with Valentine Day 2015 fast approaching.
That day, the Jonathans will be sharing more
than a large box of chocolate cake. The
President hasn’t put together a campaign
committee yet, not to talk of a proper
campaign team. Though the signs suggest
that the APC is getting ready to blow the
presidential contest, nevertheless, in Nigeria,
you do not take chances; you do not take
anything for granted. So I can understand
entirely why Mrs Jonathan would shift her
attention away from Bayelsa’s Ministry of
Education.
Furthermore, there’s the little matter of the
upcoming governorship tussles in Rivers and
Bayelsa states. I’m pretty sure Mrs Jonathan
would not want another Amaechi in either of
those states for a while as she seeks to
consolidate her godmama-hood for the
greater good.
Moreover, from a distance, Mrs Jonathan
doesn’t strike me as one to willingly give up a
largesse. So perhaps it is time for Governor
Dickson to start to worry. All very interesting.
We continue to ‘watch this space.’
But I have to admit my relief when I realised
that Mrs Jonathan had not resigned her post
as First and Second Lady (seriously, when was
the last time you heard of Hadjia Mrs Sambo?)
In those roles, Mrs Jonathan has provided all
of us invaluable social and psychological
service. This is not just about entertainment
value. It is more than that. It is not for
nothing that Nigerians were scored the
happiest people on earth. Mrs Jonathan’s
contribution in this respect has been
significant and continues to be greatly
appreciated. Her unique style and often times
intentional witticism does help a lot.
Nigeria is not an easy terrain. Look at what
the Super Eagles and brother Keshi have done
to us. There is NEPA, tipsy policemen, 419ers
and women wearing biker shorts as panties
just about everywhere you look. I tell you, it’s
not easy at all. So it is good to laugh every
now and again to keep hope alive and to
ensure one’s sanity. Our stand-up comedians
seem to have had it and are beginning to
recycle the same jokes. Also, regrettably, our
pastors seem to have put divine entertainment
on hold for the pursuit of other gods like
private jets, yachts, etc, etc. However, Mrs
Jonathan is still going strong and she keeps it
fresh. You have to appreciate that. In fact,
the lady spoils us. What more can a people
ask for?
You can see why I was petrified when I first
set eyes on those frightful headlines. So I am
very glad that Mrs Jonathan is still our First
Lady. Inshallah, she will continue to so be for
a very long time yet.
And for the records, it is not true that Mrs
Jonathan is being lined up as a possible
Permanent Secretary at the Federal level
having garnered much expertise and valuable
experience at the state level, and having
straightened out education in Bayelsa State.
Similarly, those shapeless rumours that she
resigned to put together an Aba-made, home-
grown dictionary are mildly exaggerated.
It only remains for our newspaper and online
Editors to please watch how they present news
to us. Some of those headlines are not good
for my heart…
Mr Michael Egbejumi-David, a commentator
on national issues, wrote from LagosYes, that was how I first saw the headline too
late Thursday October 23, 2014. Another
headline screamed at me, “Wife of President
Jonathan Resigns.” Well, that almost ruined
my evening and I had moderate heart
palpitations. I mean, of all the news you don’t
want to hear, that was right up there. Mrs
Patience Jonathan resigned?
It was only after I had gone through a few
lines of the ‘breaking news’ that I realised Mrs
Jonathan merely resigned her job as a
Permanent Secretary in the much discomfited
State of Bayelsa.
For those who might not be aware, since the
summer of 2012, Mrs Jonathan has doubled
as a Permanent Secretary (of Education, would
you believe!) down in Bayelsa. It is one of
those things that only happens in Nigeria; so
no real need to try and understand it now.
Anyway, apparently, the lady’s had enough of
whatever it was she was doing – or not doing
– and has packed that gig in. Presumably,
she wants to concentrate her considerable
energies on other things. Fair enough.
I don’t blame Mrs Jonathan. I’d have done
the same thing if I were in her shoes; what
with Valentine Day 2015 fast approaching.
That day, the Jonathans will be sharing more
than a large box of chocolate cake. The
President hasn’t put together a campaign
committee yet, not to talk of a proper
campaign team. Though the signs suggest
that the APC is getting ready to blow the
presidential contest, nevertheless, in Nigeria,
you do not take chances; you do not take
anything for granted. So I can understand
entirely why Mrs Jonathan would shift her
attention away from Bayelsa’s Ministry of
Education.
Furthermore, there’s the little matter of the
upcoming governorship tussles in Rivers and
Bayelsa states. I’m pretty sure Mrs Jonathan
would not want another Amaechi in either of
those states for a while as she seeks to
consolidate her godmama-hood for the
greater good.
Moreover, from a distance, Mrs Jonathan
doesn’t strike me as one to willingly give up a
largesse. So perhaps it is time for Governor
Dickson to start to worry. All very interesting.
We continue to ‘watch this space.’
But I have to admit my relief when I realised
that Mrs Jonathan had not resigned her post
as First and Second Lady (seriously, when was
the last time you heard of Hadjia Mrs Sambo?)
In those roles, Mrs Jonathan has provided all
of us invaluable social and psychological
service. This is not just about entertainment
value. It is more than that. It is not for
nothing that Nigerians were scored the
happiest people on earth. Mrs Jonathan’s
contribution in this respect has been
significant and continues to be greatly
appreciated. Her unique style and often times
intentional witticism does help a lot.
Nigeria is not an easy terrain. Look at what
the Super Eagles and brother Keshi have done
to us. There is NEPA, tipsy policemen, 419ers
and women wearing biker shorts as panties
just about everywhere you look. I tell you, it’s
not easy at all. So it is good to laugh every
now and again to keep hope alive and to
ensure one’s sanity. Our stand-up comedians
seem to have had it and are beginning to
recycle the same jokes. Also, regrettably, our
pastors seem to have put divine entertainment
on hold for the pursuit of other gods like
private jets, yachts, etc, etc. However, Mrs
Jonathan is still going strong and she keeps it
fresh. You have to appreciate that. In fact,
the lady spoils us. What more can a people
ask for?
You can see why I was petrified when I first
set eyes on those frightful headlines. So I am
very glad that Mrs Jonathan is still our First
Lady. Inshallah, she will continue to so be for
a very long time yet.
And for the records, it is not true that Mrs
Jonathan is being lined up as a possible
Permanent Secretary at the Federal level
having garnered much expertise and valuable
experience at the state level, and having
straightened out education in Bayelsa State.
Similarly, those shapeless rumours that she
resigned to put together an Aba-made, home-
grown dictionary are mildly exaggerated.
It only remains for our newspaper and online
Editors to please watch how they present news
to us. Some of those headlines are not good
for my heart…
Mr Michael Egbejumi-David, a commentator
on national issues, wrote from LagosYes, that was how I first saw the headline too
late Thursday October 23, 2014. Another
headline screamed at me, “Wife of President
Jonathan Resigns.” Well, that almost ruined
my evening and I had moderate heart
palpitations. I mean, of all the news you don’t
want to hear, that was right up there. Mrs
Patience Jonathan resigned?
It was only after I had gone through a few
lines of the ‘breaking news’ that I realised Mrs
Jonathan merely resigned her job as a
Permanent Secretary in the much discomfited
State of Bayelsa.
For those who might not be aware, since the
summer of 2012, Mrs Jonathan has doubled
as a Permanent Secretary (of Education, would
you believe!) down in Bayelsa. It is one of
those things that only happens in Nigeria; so
no real need to try and understand it now.
Anyway, apparently, the lady’s had enough of
whatever it was she was doing – or not doing
– and has packed that gig in. Presumably,
she wants to concentrate her considerable
energies on other things. Fair enough.
I don’t blame Mrs Jonathan. I’d have done
the same thing if I were in her shoes; what
with Valentine Day 2015 fast approaching.
That day, the Jonathans will be sharing more
than a large box of chocolate cake. The
President hasn’t put together a campaign
committee yet, not to talk of a proper
campaign team. Though the signs suggest
that the APC is getting ready to blow the
presidential contest, nevertheless, in Nigeria,
you do not take chances; you do not take
anything for granted. So I can understand
entirely why Mrs Jonathan would shift her
attention away from Bayelsa’s Ministry of
Education.
Furthermore, there’s the little matter of the
upcoming governorship tussles in Rivers and
Bayelsa states. I’m pretty sure Mrs Jonathan
would not want another Amaechi in either of
those states for a while as she seeks to
consolidate her godmama-hood for the
greater good.
Moreover, from a distance, Mrs Jonathan
doesn’t strike me as one to willingly give up a
largesse. So perhaps it is time for Governor
Dickson to start to worry. All very interesting.
We continue to ‘watch this space.’
But I have to admit my relief when I realised
that Mrs Jonathan had not resigned her post
as First and Second Lady (seriously, when was
the last time you heard of Hadjia Mrs Sambo?)
In those roles, Mrs Jonathan has provided all
of us invaluable social and psychological
service. This is not just about entertainment
value. It is more than that. It is not for
nothing that Nigerians were scored the
happiest people on earth. Mrs Jonathan’s
contribution in this respect has been
significant and continues to be greatly
appreciated. Her unique style and often times
intentional witticism does help a lot.
Nigeria is not an easy terrain. Look at what
the Super Eagles and brother Keshi have done
to us. There is NEPA, tipsy policemen, 419ers
and women wearing biker shorts as panties
just about everywhere you look. I tell you, it’s
not easy at all. So it is good to laugh every
now and again to keep hope alive and to
ensure one’s sanity. Our stand-up comedians
seem to have had it and are beginning to
recycle the same jokes. Also, regrettably, our
pastors seem to have put divine entertainment
on hold for the pursuit of other gods like
private jets, yachts, etc, etc. However, Mrs
Jonathan is still going strong and she keeps it
fresh. You have to appreciate that. In fact,
the lady spoils us. What more can a people
ask for?
You can see why I was petrified when I first
set eyes on those frightful headlines. So I am
very glad that Mrs Jonathan is still our First
Lady. Inshallah, she will continue to so be for
a very long time yet.
And for the records, it is not true that Mrs
Jonathan is being lined up as a possible
Permanent Secretary at the Federal level
having garnered much expertise and valuable
experience at the state level, and having
straightened out education in Bayelsa State.
Similarly, those shapeless rumours that she
resigned to put together an Aba-made, home-
grown dictionary are mildly exaggerated.
It only remains for our newspaper and online
Editors to please watch how they present news
to us. Some of those headlines are not good
for my heart…
Mr Michael Egbejumi-David, a commentator
on national issues, wrote from Lagos