Patience Jonathan absent from Good Friday service

Wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, failed to attend the Good Friday service at the Aso Villa Chapel along with her husband, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

No reason was given for her absence.

The President had on Friday joined Christians worldwide in celebrating the day, which is set aside to mark the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Jonathan attended the special service along with his mother, Eunice, and a few presidential aides.

The President led the opening prayer of the service which was conducted by his Chaplain, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba.

He prayed for peace in the country and all parts of the world.

The service featured the reading of the seven words of Jesus Christ before his death.

Onwuzurumba in a short exhortation urged Christians to always exhibit the spirit of endurance, saying that since Jesus Christ had his portion of suffering and endurance, mortals cannot afford to shy away from theirs.

He asked Christians to surrender themselves to God so that his plan for them can manifest.

This, he added, will compel them to attain righteousness which is a key to peace and joy.

“Jesus Christ by His death separated the soul and spirit from body which is what is needed to meet with God. The body is not to be protected against the soul. Surrendering to God is the ultimate for man and it must be noted that if Christ had His portion of suffering and endurance, each one of us must not shy away from ours,” he said.

Jonathan later received a few visitors before leaving Abuja for his home state, Bayelsa.

He will proceed to Ikenne Remo, Ogun State on Saturday (today) on a condolence visit to the family of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, over the death of the family scion, Oluwole.