First Lady Shuns Presidential Jet… Flies Commercial Plane To Lebanon

PHOTO: NIGERIA'S FIRST LADY, DAME PATIENCE JONATHAN.

San Francisco, May 20, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s First Lady and wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience Jonathan today stunned security operatives at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport Lagos when she arrived at the airport to catch a flight to Lebanon en route Dubai on a commercial Emirati carrier, Emirates Airlines.

Dame Jonathan according to THEWILL checks at the Presidency decided to shun the Presidential fleet for a commercial flight because her trip to Lebanon is not an official visit.

Our checks further revealed that the First Lady embarked on the trip to Lebanon to spend time with family and friends who she has not seen in a while. Patience is also expected to use the period to take a short break from the hassles of work at the Presidency.

Multiple security sources at the Lagos airport said they were surprised by Patience Jonathan’s noble decision to fly commercial noting that her predecessors used the Presidential Fleet for all their travels, whether private or official.

A source at Emirates Airlines, who chose to remain anonymous but sounded obviously excited that Patience chose her carrier over others to Lebanon said the First Lady is due back in Lagos on Sunday, May 23, 2010.