From Fred Itua, Abuja
Nigeria’s former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has said will lead a delegation to the final burial rites of Serene Majesty, King Prof. TJT Princewill, Amachree Xi, Amanyanabo Of Kalabari Kingdom.
She stated this when the trio of Prince Tonye Princewill,Dr David Briggs and Opunabo Inko-tariah visited her at her Abuja residence on Friday night.
The trio were there to personally inform her of the King’s burial and also invite her to attend.
Mrs Jonathan who was pleased with the visit, rained encomiums on the late monarch.
She pointed out that as an ijaw daughter of Okrika extraction, the Kalahari monarch was not just a King, but also her father and a father to all sons and daughters of the Ijaw nation. She prayed for peace, unity, love and progress in the Ijaw nation and Nigeria at large.
Earlier in his speech, chairman of the burial committee and only child of the monarch, Prince Princewill, had briefed Mrs Jonathan on the transition rites of the King and invited her to grace the burial in person and with her women.
In his closing remarks, the co – chairman of the committee, Briggs, thanked Mrs Jonathan for the warm reception and hospitality.
The meeting lasted for over an hour with the former First Lady using the opportunity to educate the delegation on the need for unity.
The guests had also visited her husband and the former president, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, earlier in the day at his Abuja office.