President Goodluck Jonathan conceded yesterday that there must be a change in the country to rid it of the many vices impeding its growth.
He said something must have gone wrong with Nigeria since the 1914 amalgamation of the North and the South and pleaded with the generality of Nigerians to work together to salvage the country.
Jonathan spoke at the funeral mass for Mrs. Theresa Ekpeluchi Chime, mother of Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State at St.Theresa’s Catholic Church,Udi.
The president told the congregation that Nigeria’s problems did not start with his administration but insisted that there must be a change to get rid of the problems.
He traced Nigeria’s major problems to the gross neglect of the upbringing of children by their parents who,according to him,often put their businesses and careers above the care of their wards.
He urged parents to emulate the qualities of the late Madam Chime saying the key role she played in bringing up her children made it possible for all of them, including Gov Chime, to be successful in their careers
“From what I heard from the clergy and others, it was because of the kind of life she lived, that she was able to raise her children properly. And that is why he who comes close to the ocean and our party chairman who comes close to the desert are here today to pay her respects,” he said.
An elated Governor Chime told the congregation that he did not expect the president at the funeral yesterday, adding that his presence with his wife,Dame Patience, was a demonstration of their love for him.
He added: “It is on record that before I could officially inform the president about my mother’s demise, he had pre-empted me by sending me a surprise condolence.”
The funeral mass was conducted by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu, Bishop Callistus Onaga.
Present at the funeral were the national chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; deputy Senate president, Ike Ekeremadu and wife; former vice-president Alex Ekwueme; former Senate president, Ken Nnamani; Governors Martin Elechi of Ebonyi state; Liyel Imoke of Cross River state; Theodore Orji of Abia state; Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers ; Gabriel Suswam of Benue;Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and Peter Obi of Anambra .
Also present were the 2nd Republic governor of the old Anambra state, Senator Jim Nwobodo; Ministers Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala ( Finance) ,Barth Nnaji ( Power); Stella Oduah ( Aviation); Emeka Wogu (Labour); Onyebuchi Chukwu (Health); and Viola Onwuluri ( Foreign Affairs).
Others include deputy governor of Anambra State, Dame Virgy Etiaba, Senator Ayogu Eze Senator Andy Uba, Senator Emma Agboti, Ambassador Fidelia Njeze; and the Anglican Bishop of Enugu, Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma.
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