Chief Meni Jonathan
Muhammad Bello
Heavy security presence overwhelmed Otuoke, President Goodluck
Jonathan’s home town Thursday as he arrived for the burial of his
younger brother, Chief Meni Jonathan, which would take place Friday.
Meni died two weeks ago at the National Hospital in Abuja after a
brief illness.
The President was received on his arrival by the Governor of Bayelsa
State, Seriake Dickson, top government officials, security chiefs and
family members who later briefed him privately on the funeral
arrangements.
A detachment of security personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force,
police, State Security Service (SSS) as well as members of the civil
defence corps were seen everywhere in the village as the President
Jonathan walked around to inspect the level of preparations for the
burial.
Before his arrival yesterday, the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan,
had been in Otuoke since Wednesday to put in place some
arrangements for the burial.
After a meeting with his family members, the President visited the
residence of his late brother where he commiserated with the wife
and daughter before leaving for the Pa Lawrence Ebele Jonathan
Memorial Hall where the corpse is expected to lie in state today.
A sober President Jonathan who came out of his brother’s residence
with misty eyes was led to the community town hall where the
community elders are expected to receive the corpse when it arrives
from Abuja today.
From the community town hall, the president was led to the St.
Steven’s Anglican Church where the requiem mass is expected to
hold today.