President Goodluck Jonathan should forget, for now, about the loneliness of being out of power, as his home state of Bayelsa is planning to roll out the red carpet cymbals and drums for him, after handing over to Muhammadu Buhari on Friday.

The Bayelsa state Government plans a civic reception for him on that same Friday, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Dan Kikile, announced on Wednesday.

Kikile said that Jonathan would be received at the Government House, Helipad, Yenagoa, by Governor Seriake Dickson and other top government officials.

He said the president would be hosted to a civic reception later in the evening at Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre in Yenagoa.

“The president will then proceed to his hometown in Otuoke, where he will be received by chiefs and his kinsmen.

“The president will later be hosted to a state banquet at the banquet hall in Yenagoa.

“On May 30, an inter denominational thanksgiving service will be organised at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Yenagoa, after which the president will be hosted to a state luncheon at the banquet hall, Yenagoa,“ it said.

Kikile said that the state government would use the occasion to showcase the affection of Bayelsa people for Jonathan and thank God for enabling the president to successfully complete his tenure.

The commissioner said there would be restriction of traffic on adjourning roads to the venues for the events and apologised for the inconvenience the programme might cause.