First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan flown to Germany again for health reasons

Source: The Punch

Wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Mrs. Patience Jonathan,  was on Monday flown to Germany for what a Presidency source said was for a check-up.

Fears over Mrs. Jonathan’s health spread last year when he was away from the country for weeks.

She was said to be in critical condition in a German hospital.

Although she looked pale, she denied being admitted to any hospital when she finally returned on October 14, 2012.

Her husband later confirmed that she was sick but had recovered.

The President’s wife had to cancel a thanksgiving service and reception she initially planned in honour of former Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa and ex-National Security Adviser Andrew Azazi, and others, who died in a helicopter crash in Bayelsa State on December 15.

Although an online news portal, Saharareporters, reported that Mrs. Jonathan was flown out of the country, a Presidency source told our correspondent that she only travelled on Monday for a check-up.

“You will recall that since she returned last year, madam has not travelled out of the country. This trip is just for a check-up, nothing more. Any report that she had been hurriedly flown abroad is far from the truth,” the source said.

Patience attended the inter-denominational service held as part of activities marking this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja on Sunday alongside her husband and mother-in-law.

She looked healthy throughout the service.

Efforts to get her media aides for comments on the telephone were unsuccessful at press time.