Portia, local Nigerians welcome Goodluck
Published:Friday | August 3, 2012 | 12:00 AM
Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter
AS NIGERIAN President Goodluck Jonathan descended the steps of his Nigerian Air Force aircraft and set foot on Jamaican soil, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller greeted him saying, "welcome my brother, it is good to see you".
Jonathan, along with his wife Patience, is on a two-day visit to Jamaica. The significance of the visit was not lost on the Nigerian Association in Jamaica, which greeted the Jonathans at the Norman Manley International Airport with song and dance from their native land.
With the dancers in African garb revelling to the rhythmic sound of the drums and singing on top of their voices, President Jonathan watched closely and wore a smile of approval on his face.
Judith Orogun, a member of the Nigerian community living in Jamaica, who rolled out the cultural welcome mat for the Jonathans, told The Gleaner the song and dance were aimed at paying homage to the Nigerian president.
'OUR CHAMPION IS HERE'
"In our culture, when you have an elder visit, the song that we sing is that our champion has arrived. And usually when you do that it encourages the person to continue to do better," she said.
"We are very excited and we are particularly excited that he has come to coincide with Jamaica's 50 and it is just a feeling that we cannot explain. When we saw that plane touch down today, you could literally feel the pulse. Our president's plane is landing on Jamaican soil, and for some of us who have been here for so long, it is just wonderful."
Jonathan yesterday attended a special joint sitting of the Senate and the House of Representatives where he congratulated the country on its 50th anniversary of Independence.
The Nigerian president will hold bilateral talks with Simpson Miller. He will also pay courtesy calls on Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and Leader of the Opposition Andrew Holness.
Orogun said Jonathan's visit to Jamaica was an indication that he understands the strong connection between the countries.
At the same time, Orogun said Jamaicans should recognise the significance of both its independence and emancipation from slavery.
"I think there is the tendency for Jamaicans to take it for granted. It is something that happens in the spirit. So many thousands would have died, so that we could be free and we can't take it for granted."