I’ll Forever Remain Grateful to Alamieyeseigha – Jonathan
Former President GoodluckJonathan has paid tribute to his former boss,
Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, for giving him a breakthrough in
politics.
Chief Alamieyeseigha picked Dr. Jonathan as running mate for the 1999
governorship election in Bayelsa State which they won. The former
President went on to replace Alamieyeseigha as governor following his
impeachment. He was preparing to seek re-election as governor in 2007
when he was drafted in as running mate to the late Alhaji Umaru
Yar'Adua in that year's Presidential election.
Speaking during an interdenominational thanksgiving service organised
by the Bayelsa State government as part of the grand reception in his
honour in Yenagoa, yesterday Jonathan said he never dreamed of
becoming a commissioner in the state until Alamieyeseigha convinced
him to become his running mate in 1999.
"Without Alamieyeseigha, l wouldn't have been here talking about being
a former President. Nobody would have heard about Jonathan without
him. So, help me thank him," he said.
He appealed to religious leaders and the Christian community to keep
praying for him and his family saying that he would continue to
contribute to development and nation-building by virtue of his current
position.
He commended the CAN President and other Christian leaders for their
prayers and support throughout his Presidency. Jonathan who read the
first Bible lesson from Luke 17:11-12 hailed his former aides for
their services to the country saying that they all worked tirelessly
to develop the country.
He praised Dickson for packaging the grand reception. The thanksgiving
service, which was held at the St. Peter's Anglican Church, Ovom,
Yenagoa, was attended by dignitaries from across the country and
abroad. Governor Seriake Dickson and his wife, Rachel, Deputy Governor
John Jonah, Alamieyeseigha, Speaker of the state House of Assembly,
Mr. Kombowei Benson and other notable politicians in the state were in
attendance as were over 50 former presidential aides including
ministers.
The Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, led a high-powered
delegation of Rivers people including the former Governor of the
state, Celestine Omehia, to the event. President of the Christian
Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, received
Jonathan and his wife, Patience, at the church.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dickson said the people of the state
were elated to welcome the former President and thanked the people for
accompanying him to his Otuoke country home.
"The significance of this thanksgiving is that we as a government felt
that all the activities will not be complete unless we assemble here
to thank the awesome God for the opportunity granted us to serve this
country. "Our leader Jonathan did a great job and he has now entered
into an exclusive club of national and international statesman. We
know the challenges of public office but God helped him and we are
very grateful to God", he said. In his sermon, Pastor Uma Ukpai
described Jonathan as "one man that remembers those who helped him
when he was nobody. He was approachable and he doesn't behave like a
Nigerian." The highpoint of the event was a presentation made to Mrs.
Jonathan by a group of Abuja women led by Onyeka Onwenu.
Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, for giving him a breakthrough in
politics.
Chief Alamieyeseigha picked Dr. Jonathan as running mate for the 1999
governorship election in Bayelsa State which they won. The former
President went on to replace Alamieyeseigha as governor following his
impeachment. He was preparing to seek re-election as governor in 2007
when he was drafted in as running mate to the late Alhaji Umaru
Yar'Adua in that year's Presidential election.
Speaking during an interdenominational thanksgiving service organised
by the Bayelsa State government as part of the grand reception in his
honour in Yenagoa, yesterday Jonathan said he never dreamed of
becoming a commissioner in the state until Alamieyeseigha convinced
him to become his running mate in 1999.
"Without Alamieyeseigha, l wouldn't have been here talking about being
a former President. Nobody would have heard about Jonathan without
him. So, help me thank him," he said.
He appealed to religious leaders and the Christian community to keep
praying for him and his family saying that he would continue to
contribute to development and nation-building by virtue of his current
position.
He commended the CAN President and other Christian leaders for their
prayers and support throughout his Presidency. Jonathan who read the
first Bible lesson from Luke 17:11-12 hailed his former aides for
their services to the country saying that they all worked tirelessly
to develop the country.
He praised Dickson for packaging the grand reception. The thanksgiving
service, which was held at the St. Peter's Anglican Church, Ovom,
Yenagoa, was attended by dignitaries from across the country and
abroad. Governor Seriake Dickson and his wife, Rachel, Deputy Governor
John Jonah, Alamieyeseigha, Speaker of the state House of Assembly,
Mr. Kombowei Benson and other notable politicians in the state were in
attendance as were over 50 former presidential aides including
ministers.
The Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, led a high-powered
delegation of Rivers people including the former Governor of the
state, Celestine Omehia, to the event. President of the Christian
Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, received
Jonathan and his wife, Patience, at the church.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dickson said the people of the state
were elated to welcome the former President and thanked the people for
accompanying him to his Otuoke country home.
"The significance of this thanksgiving is that we as a government felt
that all the activities will not be complete unless we assemble here
to thank the awesome God for the opportunity granted us to serve this
country. "Our leader Jonathan did a great job and he has now entered
into an exclusive club of national and international statesman. We
know the challenges of public office but God helped him and we are
very grateful to God", he said. In his sermon, Pastor Uma Ukpai
described Jonathan as "one man that remembers those who helped him
when he was nobody. He was approachable and he doesn't behave like a
Nigerian." The highpoint of the event was a presentation made to Mrs.
Jonathan by a group of Abuja women led by Onyeka Onwenu.
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