Former President Goodluck Jonathan, eminent Nigerians commiserate with the family of High Chief (Dr.) O.B. Lulu-Briggs, OON, DCF, DSSRS


Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, former first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan were in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, to offer their condolences to the family of High Chief (Dr.) O.B. Lulu-Briggs, OON, DCF, DSSRS, Iniikeiroari V of Kalabari Kingdom, Paramount Head of Oruwari Briggs House of Abonnema, and Regent of Abonnema, who passed away on December 27, 2018 in Accra, Ghana.

Former President Jonathan and his wife, Patience were accompanied by Professor Seiyefa Brisibe, Niger Delta University, College of Medicine, and Honorable Tobias James, former Commissioner for Education, Bayelsa State, began their visit by signing the condolence register. Thereafter, they spent time with Dr. (Mrs) Seinye Lulu-Briggs, Mrs Solate Ovundah-Akarolo(daughter) and other family members.

Jonathan spoke glowingly about High Chief Lulu-Briggs, recalling the pioneering role he played in national politics and how he championed Niger Delta and minority issues in the second republic days when he was Deputy National Chairman of the defunct National Party of Nigeria(NPN).

He said: ‘High Chief was a courageous man who loved his people. He worked very hard. We know even in business, he was a successful man.
He was equally successful in politics. We are here to tell you that your husband, your father, our father was a good person, a good leader. We all miss him. We pray that God Almighty will accept him in his bosom. He has done his best on earth. He has helped so many people. He has encouraged so many people. He has contributed positively to the development of this state, Old Rivers State and to the development of the country in general. May his soul rest in peace.”

The former president revealed how the late Lulu-Briggs was one of the
earliest supporters of the Umaru Yar’Adua/Goodluck Jonathan Presidential raceof 2007.

He reminisced about their friendship, “Sometimes when he was in Abuja, he used to come and see me at State House. To me, the day I heard of his death was a sad moment.”

Since High Chief (Dr.) Lulu-Briggs passed away, his home has been a beehive of activity with dignitaries, friends, associates, beneficiaries of his philanthropy and well-wishers paying visits to commiserate with his family.

The visitors have included, The Rt Reverend Ralph Ebirien, Anglican Bishop of Niger Delta, accompanied by the Synod Secretary, The Reverend Canon Limorami Agery and Sir Amaopusenibo Ferdinand Baningo, Elder Statesmen; High Chief Abiola Ogundokun, Chief (Dr.) and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; Amayanabo of Opobo, His Majesty, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja and the Queen; Chief Anthony Akarolo, Amangada XI of Rebis and his wife, Mrs Priscilla Akarolo, HRM Mene King Suanu T. Y. Baridam; Alabo Tonye Graham- Douglas and his wife, Muriel Graham-Douglas Mr. Kenneth Kobani, Secretary to Rivers State Government, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, Group Managing Director, Access Bank, Mr. Emeka Emuwa, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Francis Bruce, GOC. 6 DIV Port Harcourt, represented by Brig. General Nasiru Inusa Najaja, AIG Zone 6, Adeyemi Ogunyemihesi mni, former Bayelsa State First Lady, Margaret Alamieyeseigha; Mr. Okey Wali, SAN, former President, Nigerian Bar Association and former Attorney General, Rivers State Government, and his wife Lizzy Okey Wali.