President Goodluck Jonathan had an important message for Nigeria’s political class embedded in his remarks at the burial of Madam Charity Oba. He asked them to cherish the importance of leaving behind a good legacy after leaving office.
He said the foster mother of the First Lady played her part well on Earth and likened the political arena to life and death, where one must live and then die and be remembered for whatever role they played.
He said, “To me as a political leader and most of my friends here who are politicians, politics or holding political offices is almost like death. While you are there, you are on the stage. The day you leave, what would people remember you for? That has always been my guiding principle.
“No matter the comments; whether the comments are to the left or the comments are to the right or at the centre, what challenges me everyday is what the present and future generations of Nigerians will remember me for the day I step out of the State House.
“I believe that is what will guide most of us who are holding political offices. So, for today, I have to thank you. Sisi has done well and we are remembering her. My family is the family that will surely remember her.
“In fact when her biography was being read, my children were crying. My children appear to be the last set of children that she brought up. That should tell you how we feel about her. As a mother-in-law, she was a wonderful woman.
“If you have such a lady as a mother-in-law, you will continue to thank God. Though she stayed very shortly, but we are happy and we will continue to remember her and all the things she did to support my wife and me. I enjoined all of you to pray for her that the soul of Mama Sisi rest in the bossom of the Lord,”