By Samuel Oyadongha

Yenagoa—President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, lamented that Bayelsa State lost eight of her best women leaders in the Valentine Day auto crash along the Ahaoda axis of the East-West Road in Rivers State.

FUNERAL: President Goodluck Jonathan (left) consoling one of the children of the women who died in an accident at Ahoada, Rivers State, during a special funeral service for the departed women, at Dr. Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, yesterday.

Among those who lost their lives in the tragic accident were three relations of the President.They include, a cousin to the President, late Consider Amadi, Late Elizabeth Allison-Oguru, wife of the Secretary to Bayelsa State Government, SSG, who is from Otuoke, the President’s home town and late Clara Abila, also a relation of the President from Otuoke.

Others include Ayakpo Otolo, Elizabeth Nisakpo, Ginbra Pamowei, Ruby Benjamin, Acha Pere-Kalama and the driver of the ill-fated bus, Kelechi Onyekwuru.
Jonathan, who spoke in Yenagoa, at a special state memorial held in honour of the deceased, said the event which was initially scheduled for last Saturday was moved to Tuesday at his instance to enable him pay his last respect to the deceased.

The President, accompanied by his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, said the death of the deceased came as a shock to him.
“We have lost eight of our best. Late Elizabeth Oguru was from my village, Consider Amadi was my second cousin, Abila also was my relation,” he said, adding that the deceased were people close to him and his family.

The President, who looked in the direction of the caskets bearing the remains of the deceased, said “The caskets contain the remains of people so dear to me. When I remember February 14, it was supposed to be Valentine’s Day but it turned out to be a black Saturday for Bayelsa.

“That was the day I hosted widows of our fallen soldiers. When I got home and received  the news of the sad incident, I lacked words to console the bereaved families. Though some were my relations, I believe they have finished playing their roles. Let me join others to express my condolences to the bereaved families.”

In her tribute, the wife of the President, Dame Jonathan, described the deceased as her sisters and friends.
“You remain my blood sisters, you left when I needed you most. I pray that someday we shall meet again,” she said.