Suntai Celebrates 52nd Birthday, Opens Up on Life after the Crash.

The Governor of Taraba State Danbaba Suntai gave his interview from New York on a Sunday evening -- amidst an event arranged by a former Nigerian Ambassador to the United Nations, Ambassador Kennedy F. Apoe, to honour Suntai's 52nd birthday.

Your Excellency, how are you, Sir?

Suntai: I am fine [smiles]. I am very fine.

Good. Sir, can you recollect the incident that brought you to the United States?

Suntai: Yes, a crash. They said I was involved in a plane crash, but I do not want to talk about it now because the memory takes me back. The doctors advised that I should not be made to remember the incident. But I am fine now.

Okay, Sir. So how do you feel today, having your family members and some aides around you for your birthday celebration?

Suntai: I am happy that I am alive to witness today. I thank all of them for their supports...

The Governor asked a Christian group, Hillsong, to perform a worship song 'Mighty to Save' for him. After listening to the song and singing along with his daughters, Mariam, Edigwa and Zainab, Suntai confessed he liked the song, as it reminds him he has to forgive his offenders just like God forgived him his own wrongdoings.

Having said this, the Governor also disclosed that he has no grudge against his insulters, including those who "had been heating up Taraba state just because of their selfish interests".

The Governor further admitted that he misses "many things" since he has been away from his homeland, emphasizing the annual Christmas celebration he would hold together with his community people in his hometown.

Dressed in a dark blue suit, sporting a red-coloured T-shirt under it, expressed the desire to be present at the upcoming celebration this year.

Mrs Mabel Apoe, wife of the host and organizer of the indoor celebration, served the Governor some food -- rice, beans, salad, green tea and water-melon, -- which he ate.

During the birthday celebration, which lasted for about three hours, Governor's wife transferred several phone-calls to him, including one from the former Deputy Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Honorable Abel Diah.

Hajia Hauwa Suntai, the Governor's wife, admitted that her spouse's life is "truly a living testimony", adding that it was only the intervention of God that brought the Governor back to life: "I am quite happy and excited, and I thank God for everything.

"As you can see, we are all over him and everybody here present is happy with him. I do not really care about all the negative reports that some journalists have been writing about my husband, and you can see it for yourself now that he is really doing well. You can even see that he has improved more than the last time you came to visit him at home," she further continued.

Asked about how she received the terrifying news of the notorious plane crash in which her husband was injured, Mrs Suntai remembered thus: "It was so shocking, and it created missed feelings and emotions for him because I never thought he could survive it. It was very tough, but we thank God that he survived it at the end of the day."

Meanwhile, the organizer of the social event, Ambassador Kennedy Apoe, said he was "glad" that the Governor was alive to witness his birthday celebration and went on to described his health condition as "excellent". He added that he and the Governor had spent the last couple of days together discussing several issues, ranging from the Governor's health to the political situation in Nigeria.

Ambassador Apoe stated: "With where the governor is coming from, I will say his health condition is excellent. Anytime we go to see him, he always talks with us normally as against media propaganda by his political opponents. He always remembers previous discussions, so how do you say such a man has lost his memory?"

One of the Governor's daughters, Mariam, disclosed she was "not happy" with her Father's condition, but added that she "thanked God for bringing him back to life."

One of Suntai's physicians confirmed the fact that he had been discharged from the hospital about two weeks ago, but was asked to visit the rehabilitation centre for therapies. This would make his doctors determine when he is fit to undergo a long-distance flight back to Nigeria.