Jonathan, yesterday, returned to a boisterous welcome amidst tight
security at the Presidential Wing of the Abuja International Airport.
He debunked insinuations that she had a tummy tuck in a German
hospital.
A large crowd of mostly women, youth groups and traditional dancers,
dressed in colourful outfits welcomed her in a ceremony that was
largely restricted.
Mrs. Jonathan's welcome party was led by all female ministers and
other presidential aides at the airport.
Though she appeared to have lost some weight, she was in high spirit
as she thanked God for giving her a second chance, in an interview
conducted by Nigeria Television Authority, NTA.
She condemned those who insinuated that she was going to die like Gen.
Sani Abacha, Mrs Stella Obasanjo and President Umaru Yar'Adua, saying
God's purpose for her still stands.
She said: "Thank God Almighty for bringing me back safely to Nigeria.
Wherever there are good people, there are also bad ones.
"There are few Nigerians that are saying whatever they like, not what
God planned because God has a plan for all of us. And God has said it
all that when two or three are gathered in His name that He will be
with them. And Nigerians gathered and prayed for me and God listened
and heard their prayers, so I thank God for that.
"At the same time I will use this opportunity to tell those few ones
that are saying that anybody that goes to Villa or Aso Rock will die.
They mentioned Abacha, they mentioned Stella Obasanjo, they mentioned
Yar'Adua and other people. But those people why didn't they mention
those ones that went there with their families and succeeded and they
still came out alive.
"We should remember that Aso Rock is the seat of power and that is
where God has ordained for Nigerians, that our leaders should rule
from and to rule us right. God is wonderful and his infinite mercy
endures.
"At the same time, I read in the media where they said I was in the
hospital. God almighty knows I have never been to that hospital, I
don't even know the hospital they mentioned.
"I have to explain what God has done for me. I do not have terminal
illness, neither did I do any cosmetic surgery, much less tummy tuck.
My husband loves me as I am and I am pleased with how God created me I
cannot add anything.
"But at the same time, I will use this opportunity to thank my beloved
husband and my children and my staff in general and all Nigerians for
standing by me during my trying times.
"God has given me a second chance to come and work with women of
Nigeria, children and the less privileged. I have come to serve
Nigeria, I have come to work with Nigerians, I am there for them. Once
more, I am pleased to be back. I love Nigerians. They are my family."
At the Presidential Villa where she returned to the warm welcome of
her husband, children and her mother-in-law, Mrs. Eunice Jonathan and
her domestic staff at about 5 p.m, her media aide who had gone
incommunicado during the duration of her stay suddenly became
overzealous as he harassed journalists who had sought to interview the
first lady.
He told the journalists: "No! Do you want to kill her? She has to
rest. Go to your beat, is this your beat?"