I’ve spent N3.5 billion naira treating children – Patience Jonathan

-Patience Jonathan denies EFCC’s money laundering allegation.

-She also revealed that up to 700 children have benefited from her foundation’s health care initiative.

Former first lady and wife of ex- President, Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience Jonathan says she has spent N3.5 billion treating children with heart-related diseases.

According to her, not less than 700 children have benefited from the medical care through her Aruera Reachout Foundation.

The former first lady said this in a statement issued through her spokes person, Belema Meshack-Hart in reaction to allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that she used the foundation to launder stolen funds during her husband’s tenure as president.

She said the foundation — a “non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation” — sponsors the treatment and surgery of children and adults with heart conditions through its medical unit.”

“Till date, over 700 children have benefited from the Aruera Reachout Foundation, this alone cost the foundation billions, it is not news that the logistics involved in the treatment of heart disease cost over N5m per child.”

“This demonstrates the caring and maternal nature of Nigeria’s former first lady.

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“God has used her as an instrument to positively touch the lives of some of our nation’s sick children, to make them healthy and happy through the appropriate medical intervention, it is now strange and sad that the EFCC will allege that such foundation only existed to launder funds.

“The many sick children that would have died but now live a happy life will stand as testament against the baseless propaganda and shameless allegation of the EFCC.

“It is worthy of note that the foundation which is duly registered by the CAC is free to receive donations from reputable individuals and organisations for its projects just like any other NGO.”

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