Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has joined many Nigerians in consoling Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan over the death of her mother, Mrs Iwari-Oba.

In a condolence message issued by Mr Felix Ofou, his Press Secretary, the governor, who expressed shock over her sudden demise, said that the news of the death of the First Lady’s mother was a big blow not only to President Goodluck Jonathan, but the entire South South and Nigeria at large.

“Mama was not only a huge asset to the First Family; she was a mother to the South South. This is definitely a big blow to all of us”, he remarked.

Governor Uduaghan stated that the people and government of Delta State share in the grief caused by the death and prayed God to grant the First Lady, President Jonathan and the nation the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

While begging God to take away such a calamity from the First Family, he prayed for long life and good health, especially for the First Lady.

“Our earnest prayer is that such a disaster will not visit the First Family again. We also pray for long life and good health for the mother of the nation, Dame Jonathan.”

According to sources, the mother of the first lady, Mrs Iwari-Oba died in a ghastly car accident along Elele road in Rivers State.

It was gathered that the woman, originally from Okrika Local Government Area, was travelling to Bayelsa state when the accident occured. Reports indicate that her body has been transferred to the Kpaiyama Mortuary by the response team on ground.

Though, the police and the Federal Road Safety Commission in the state could not confirm the incident, an aide to Bipi said the First Lady’s mother died in a road accident, which occurred at about 4pm on Tuesday, July 23, 2013.

“Yes! She was involved in an accident and she died. Her body has been taken to a mortuary. Bipi was among those who took her body to the mortuary,” a close source had disclosed.

Meanwhile, Patience Jonathan who is said to have been devastated by death of her foster mother is expected back to Nigeria from Geneva, Switzerland today, Wednesday.