He stated this at her funeral at Otuoke in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Friday.
Jonathan noted that Madam Obebhatein, who died at 70 on January 11 2024, was his only surviving sibling from his aged mother, Mama Eunice Afeni-Jonathan.
He said his sister left at a time when a huge gathering of high-profile personalities from all over the country could come to Otuoke to pay their respects, adding that the sad part was that it was her aged mother who was mourning her.
The former president, therefore, called on the clergy and all people of goodwill not to relent in their prayers for his traumatised mother, himself and the entire members of the Jonathan family.
Jonathan said, “Death, as they say, is something we all pass through. But the time it comes also matters. Yes, we will all die womeday but the time matters.
“My elder sister died at a time that we can gather these celebrities to celebrate her, but that our mother is to mourn her is the nasty aspect of the whole thing.
“My mother has lost her first child that ought to mourn her when God calls her. I have to sincerely thank the Bayelsa State First Lady and other women who came around her because I was then in London.
“If you knew what she used to be and what she is now, you would know that she is still traumatised. So continue to pray for my mum. God will see us through. I thank you.”
Many sympathisers including the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri; his Taraba counterpart, Agbu Kefas; and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi; joined the former Nigerian president to bury his elder sister.
Also present at the funeral of the late Madam Obebhatein were the Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri; and former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim.
In his remarks, Diri said his heart and support of the entire state government were with the Jonathan family, especially his nonagenarian mother, Mama Eunice Jonathan.
Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, noted that it was appointed unto all men to die, but what is more significant is what follows after death.
While underscoring that the late Obebhatein attained the age of 70 before she met her death, the governor lamented that she would have done much more for family and society.
He encouraged the young ones to emulate the deceased’s enterprising spirit of determination and courage to have continued with her education from primary school at the age of 23 after giving birth to three children and striving to obtain a Bachelor of Education degree.
Diri said, “Our hearts are heavy with the Jonathan family, especially our mother. It’s appointed unto us to die, although we don’t choose when to die. Your elder sister lived well and attained 70 years, yet had much more to offer her family and society.”
In his funeral sermon titled, “Encourage One Another”, the Bishop of Northern Izon Diocese, Anglican Communion, Right Revd Funkuro Amgbari, exhorted believers to use the Word of God to comfort one another at trying moments including death.
Quoting John chapter 14:3 from the Bible, Bishop Amgbari called on the Christian faithful to use their time diligently in serving God and humanity while alive and stressed the need for them to be in right standing with God at all times as no one knows where, when and how he or she will die.”
