Dame Patience Jonathan consoles family of Balat, says life is vanity

The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, on Thursday said the late Sen. Isaiah Balat's death has taught her that life was indeed vanity.

Jonathan said this when she paid a condolence visit to the widows of the deceased senator in Abuja.

She said: “When I heard about the death of Isaiah Balat, I was shocked and worried. I couldn't sleep, my friends consoled me to take it easy.

“We shared the same hospital and hotel last year. We were discharged together, I thought it was all over, that God had seen both of us through; I couldn't believe it when I heard he had passed on.

“This has indeed taught me a lesson that this World is vanity; we have only come to pass by. It's a lesson for me especially to know that there's nothing in this World.''

She eulogized Balat saying he died at a time when the political world needed him and urged the widows and children of the late man to look up to God for direction.

“This is the time we need him in the political arena. Sen. Balat was a great politician, we knew him as a man of integrity, honesty and truth.

“He was a support to Mr President and the president has asked me to condole with you and he promised to be with you all the way,'' she said.

Mr Adamu Balat, first son to the deceased who responded on behalf of the family, thanked the first lady for her visit and promised to keep up the training the father inculcated in them.

“I remember when you told the president in Germany that my father was there and the president walked to the hotel room and greeted us all. I was struck by his humility.

“We are very grateful for your visit, we thank you. My father was a politician and a good father, I think he raised us well and I'll like to thank you and the president for condoling with us, Balat said.

The late Balat died on Tuesday after a protracted illness.