20110208
africanews

It was a display of the rich cultural heritage of the Otuoke community in the oil rich Bayelsa State of Nigeria when the highest chieftaincy title to be given to a woman was bestowed on Dame Patience Jonathan, wife of President Goodluck Jonathan at a ceremony attended by dignitaries from many parts of the country.

With music, dance and royalty, the Otuoke kingdom came alive as Dame Patience walked the red carpet to receive her new title.

Decked in a-two piece traditional regalia with a crown on her head, Patience was given the title of Odadigba of Otuoke kingdom, meaning a ladder of success.

Organizers described the title as significant in many ways as the she has been the pillar behind the President from his days as a deputy governor of Bayelsa State to when her husband become governor, Vice President to late President Musa Yar’Adua and then Acting President before assuming the substantive post of President in May last year.

The President’s wife who heads a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) known as Women for Change Initiative (W4CI) a platform to advocate a greater role for women in positions of responsibility particularly in elective positions also used the opportunity to call on women to vote for change in the April general elections.

‘The wife of the President has consistently held the ladder behind the husband to climb this farm’’ the organizers said.

The ceremony which provided the community to showcase its rich cultural heritage with colourful attires typical of the country’s oil rich Niger Delta region where President Jonathan hails from also had young girls displaying beautiful dance steps to the admiration of many.

Jonathan who was accompanied by Vice President, Namadi Sambo in his brief remark was full of thanks for the honour done his wife noting that it was a recognition that would not be forgotten in a hurry.

‘I thank you for the honour done to my wife which shows that women are charge here, even though I am not yet chief here.

‘I assure you that with your support, we will continue to improve the welfare of the people especially those of women and all Nigerians.’’