jossypolitics: Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan Returns To Nigeria

Nigerian first lady Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan finally returned home on Wednesday 17^th October 2012 after being away from the country for close to two months to receive medical treatment at the Horst Schmidt Klinik in Wiesbaden, Germany. The First Lady arrived at the country at about 3.50PM and was received by well-wishers who were all in cheering moods, (including the Bayelsan women, ministers, governors’ wives, NGOs and President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan) who had thronged to the presidential wing of theNnamdi Azikiwe International airport Abuja.

Weeks back when she left the country unannounced, several media ran different versions of what she was suffering from. While some said she had a ruptured appendix, others said she had food poisoning, Parkinson’s disease, uterine cancer, etc. Some even said she was in Germany for a liposuction. The Presidency did not help matters as they remained mute in the midst of the controversy surrounding her health.

Nigerians were eager to know what had befallen their First lady; but they were all kept in the dark. The people therefore resorted to their usual rumours as the people would always thrive on rumours where there is no free flow of information. While everyone remained curious, the Special Assistant on Media to the first lady, Mr. Ayo Osinlu told State House Correspondents that she was only “Resting abroad” after hectic schedules.

However, the nation eventually got the hint that Dame Patience Jonathan was in Horst Schmidt Klinik in Wiesbaden, Germany, being treated for an undisclosed ailment. On her arrival at the country, she tried frantically to dispel the rumours making the rounds that she had gone to Germany for cosmetic surgery/Liposuction, noting she was grateful to God Almighty for creating her the way she is. She told curious well-wishers that she never went for any cosmetic surgery and that she was not suffering from any terminal illness, contrary to media speculations. “I do not suffer from terminal illness. I did not go to the hospital mentioned. I did not even know the hospital,” She said.

The visibly elated President Goodluck Jonathan was there to welcome his cherished jewel with a hug. Bayelsan Women dressed in their traditional attires rendered praises to God with special music and dance steps, for sparing the life of their daughter-in-law.

Dame patience Goodluck Jonathan left the shores of Nigeria for Germany precisely on the 28^th of August, 2012 for medical attention. Up till now, Nigerians were never told the actual ailment she was being treated for. We all thank God she is finally back.

What do you think? Should our leaders always keep Nigerians in the dark when it comes to health issues? Please share you views with us.