Jonathan: I almost stopped schooling at primary 3

Former President Goodluck Jonathan says he almost dropped out of school while in primary three.

Jonathan said the support of his late uncle, Omieworio Afeni, helped him to continue his education.

The former President made the disclosure on Friday while speaking at the burial of Afeni at St. Stephen Anglican Church in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Afeni, who died at the age of 87, was the younger brother of Jonathan’s mother, Eunice.

Jonathan, who described his late uncle as a caring person, said Afeni was disciplined and accommodating to members of his family and others close to him.

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He said: “My uncle was a very caring person. I would have dropped out of school from primary three, but my uncle stood by me to continue my education.

“As Christians, we are seen as pilgrims on earth, assigned different roles and responsibilities while we live in this world from which we shall surely depart, once our time is up.

“Even with this consciousness ever present in the minds of mortals, there is always a sense of grief that comes with the death of a loved one, no matter the circumstance or age of his death.

“We will always miss those we love for the memory shared, the time spent together, the legacy left behind, and the lessons learned from the life and times of the departed.

“This is the unpleasant emotion I now bear in this particular case of the transition, to eternal glory, of my beloved uncle, Elder Omieworio Afeni, who lived for 87 years.

“My uncle was a good man, forthright, disciplined, honest, and very accommodating to family members and all that came in close contact with him.

“He was a good family man, a loving sibling to my mother, who assumed fatherly responsibilities at a very young age, and lived admirably as a role model to many in the family and the community,” the former President stated.

The event was attended by Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, and other dignitaries.

Jonathan attended a Christian primary and secondary school in Otuoke, Bayelsa State

He received a bachelor’s degree in Zoology (Second-Class honours), a master’s degree in Hydrobiology and Fisheries Biology; and a doctorate in Zoology from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

During his time at the university, the former President taught at Rivers State College of Education from 1983 to 1993.

The Star