President Olusegun Obasanjo, members of his family, his staff, government officials, friends of the President's family and other eminent Nigerians on Monday in Abuja attended a thanksgiving service at the Aso Villa Chapel to mark the 60th birthday of the late Mrs. Stella Obasanjo.

According to a statement from the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Mrs. Oluremi Oyo, the only lesson of the service, taken from Psalm 34: 1-22, was read by the President.Delivering the sermon, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. John Onaiyekan, said the service was held to mark Stella’s birthday, "as if the celebrant is here,” adding that spiritually "life is changed in death, not taken.”

He said, "This is a 60th birthday with a difference. It is a heavenly birthday celebration. The hymns and songs are as if the celebrant is here.”
While praying that God Almighty would continue to console President Obasanjo and his family for the loss, the Archbishop said it was only through faith in the living God that believers were able to show joy on "a day like this.”
Archbishop Onaiyekan enjoined the congregation to always remember that "no matter what we are, we are in God's hands". The Archbishop gave thanks to God for the late first lady's "quiet goodness" which, he said, was affirmed by the various testimonies given after her unexpected death.
He also urged all Nigerians to continue to pray for the peaceful repose of her soul.Meanwhile, President Obasanjo has received the year 2005 Coventry International Prize for Peace and Reconciliation for his "outstanding and sustained contributions towards peace and reconciliation in Africa".

Obasanjo, who received the award in the United Kingdom on Monday, said that there was no substitute for peace and reconciliation in the world. He added that the quest for peace would always remain relevant, especially in a country like Nigeria with about 350 ethnic groups.

He said, "This ceremony, this award and this honour are most touching in a number of ways and very humbly, I accept the honour that the Cathedral and the city of Coventry have done me, my family, Nigeria and Africa."

The President thanked the Coventry Cathedral's International Centre for Reconciliation for its ongoing efforts towards reconciling communities in Kaduna, Plateau and Rivers States.

The representative of the British Government at the occasion, Baroness Royal of Bleaisdon, described Obasanjo as a distinguished statesman who will continue to receive the support of the British Government.

May her soul rest in peace.

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