The residents of Oyo State in Nigeria have been persisting on prayer for the urgent recoup of Nigerian First Lady, Patience Jonathan who is presently receiving medical treatment in Germany, to enable her quick return to the country.

Prayerfuls during church services, mosque praying sessions, market squares and solemn gatherings in the Ibadan metropolis of Oyo State have enthused passion and sympathy for the first family of Nigeria, demanding her quick recovery. Sources from Oyo State have indicated that men and women, young and old are recalling the gentle and impressive concern of the first lady to issues regarding the promotion of the interest for women and child development in the country.

Speaking on the issue, a lecturer from the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Ibadan, Grace Hassan has described Patience Jonathan as a rare gem with uncommon agenda for the upliftment of women in Nigeria. She posited that her mission for the governance process in Nigeria has greatly impacted the appointment of more female ministers, ambassadors and the first female chief justice of Nigeria.

Grace Hassan expressed optimism that more female Vice – Chancellors are likely to emerge from some of the Nigerian universities following  indications in the available education terrain. She said that Nigerian women need to bend down on their knees to pray fervently for the quick recovery of Patience Jonathan, who she described as Nigeria pride
Also reacting, the Iyalode of Akobo in Ibadan, Stella Ajayi said that Nigeria has been blessed with a woman in the status of Patience Jonathan, saying she is a lady who will insist on the mobilisation of more women to contest for elective positions in 2015. “Nigerians in all walks of life must rise up in prayers for her quick recovery. Patience Jonathan’s Empowerment Programme will experience Nigerian females emerging as Presidential and Gubernatorial candidates of political parties. Some of them will definitely win the 2015 elections”, she said. She further described her as a light bearer and fountain of hope for gender equality in Nigeria.

Remaking on the issue, a pastor in the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries in Ibadan, Niyi Bankole urged Nigerians to be more steadfast in praying for the first family for her speedy recovery. He prayed that the Almighty should not allow any sorrowful incidence in the course of her ailment. The Information Centre report revealed that most participants at the Federal Secretariat Complex as well as Bodija environs in Ibadan expressed views on the need for her to return to the country in a sound bill of health.

– Federal Ministry of Information