Date Published: 07/11/10

Mrs Jonathan urges Nigerians to Be United

Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has advised Nigerians to shun tribal sentiments and embrace the much needed unity in the country, adding that such will immensely contribute to the growth of the nation.

The First Lady, who was represented by the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Helen Mark, gave the advice at the Catholic Church of the Holy Apostles, Winchester, Pimlico, London, when the Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Mrs Pauline Tallen, formally gave out her daughter, Miss Violet Tallen in marriage to Mr. Anthony Osasumwen Osondu, from Edo State.

In a message that preceded the exchange of marital vows, the Archbishop of Jos Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, commended the love behind the union, which he said, has not only brought the South and North of Nigeria together but has brought Muslims and Christians to worship under the same umbrella, as witnessed in the send-off section of the marriage earlier held in Nigeria.

“Unity and purpose is what Nigerians need to strengthen the ties among the various tribes in Nigeria, and to bring about the much needed development,” Kaigama affirmed.

He charged the new couple to be committed to each other in love faithfulness, patience and mutual respect, as exemplified by their parents.

The clergy was supported in his sermon by Canon Pat Brown of Holy Apostles Church, London, Archbishop Joseph Ukpo of Calabar and Archbishop Valerie Okeke of Onitsha. Bishop Martins Uzochukwu of Minna and his counterparts, Bishop Ayo Maria Atoyebi of Ilorin, and Very Rev. Willy Ojukwu were also in London to grace the occasion.