Profile
Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, GCFR, BNER, GCON, is the former President of Nigeria (2010-2015). He lost the 2015 presidential election to the former military head of state General Muhammadu Buhari and was the first incumbent president in Nigerian history to concede defeat in an election. Prior to that, he served as Vice-President of the country from 2007 to 2010 and as Governor of Bayelsa State from 2005 to 2007. Goodluck Jonathan served as the Acting President when the late President Yar’Adua took a leave of absence because of illness and succeeded him as the President of Nigeria upon his death. He rose to the top in Nigerian politics despite being born into a humble family of canoe makers with no background in politics.
Personal Life
Born on 20 November 1957 in Ogbia, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan is married to Patience Faka and they have two children named Ariwera and Aruabi Jonathan. He is a strong advocate of unity, peace and progress. He is a Christian from the Ijaw ethnic group. Goodluck Jonathan graduated in 1981 with a B.Sc [Hons] Degree in zoology, he also served as an assistant director at the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission. Goodluck’s mother Eunice gave birth to several children, but only a few survived their childhood. This made his father name him “Goodluck” in hopes that he would change the fortunes of the family.
PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN AND HIS WFE, PATIENCE
Education
| Name Of School | Degree | Year |
| St. Stephen’s Primary School, Otuoke, Bayelsa State | 1963 | |
| St. Michael’s Primary School, Oloibiri | 1969 | |
| Mater Dei High School, Imiringi-Ogbia | WASSCE | 1975 |
| University of Portharcourt | B.Sc Zoology | 1981 |
| University of Portharcourt | MSc. Hydrobiology & Fisheries | 1985 |
| University of Portharcourt | Ph.D Zoology | 1995 |
Work History
| Name Of Company | Position | Year |
| Rivers State College of Education | Lecturer | 1983 – 1993 |
| Directorate of Environmental Protection and Pollution Control. | Assistant Director | 1993 – 1998 |
Political History
First Civilian Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State in May 1999
Deputy Governor in 2003 (two years and six months)
State Leadership Office, December 12, 2005
[Vice Presidential Candidate] Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua [May 2007 – February 201 0].
Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria [9th February – 5th May, 2010].
Fourteenth President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. [9th February – 5th May, 2010].
Leadership Style/Philosophy
- The Consultative style of Leadership
President Goodluck Jonathan was known for his propensity to look for more consensus than necessary. He was known to consult widely with others before making decisions. On his assumption of office he sought to inspire national leaders to work together, which was a welcome approach to leadership in Nigeria.
Awards & Honours
Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON)
Best’ Student Lecturers [1981]
First Alumnus University of Port Harcourt in 2008
Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger [GCON (2007)]
Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria [GCFR (2010)]
Merit Award by Nigerian students in Glasgow Caledonian University [October, 2010];
Honorary Doctor of Science [D.Sc] Degree of the University of Port Harcourt [2008];
Merit Award as Champion of the Environment by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation [NCF] [2008];
Africa Leadership Award 2006 by the All-Africa Students Union [AASU] [20th July, 2006];
Ambassador for Peace Merit Award by the Inter-religious and International Federation for World Peace [IIFWP] [22nd July, 2006];
Most Responsive Governor Award by the Organizers of Abuja International Film Festival [25th September, 2006];
Best Performing Governor in Education in the South-South Award by the Nigerian Union of Teachers [NUT] [October, 2006];
A Distinguished Personality by Nigeria Bar Association [NBA], Yenogoa Branch [2006];
Honorary Fellowship Award by Nigerian Institute of Agricultural Engineers [NIAE] [2006].
Most Loyal Deputy Governor in the Federation by Nigerian Union of Journalists [NUJ], Yobe State Council [August, 2005];
Excellence as An Outstanding Lieutenant in Political Leadership by XCEL Publications [2005]; Justice of Peace [JP] [2005];
Niger Delta Development Merit Award by Africa International News Magazine [August, 2004];
Most Performing Deputy Governor by Niger Delta Students League [August, 2004];
Humility and Dedicated Service by the Bayelsa Independent Publishers Association [BIPA] [2004];
Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Environmental Society [NES] [2003];
Best Performing State Deputy Governor in the Federation by the Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria [IPAN] [25th May, 2002];
Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria [IPAN] [25th May, 2002];
Exemplary Leadership and Good Governance by the National Association of Women in Educational Development, Abuja [2002].
Honorary Fellow, Geographical Science Association of Nigeria [GSAN];
Fellow, International Association for Impact Assessment [IAIA];
Paul Harris Fellow [PHF], Rotary International of Nigeria;
Fellow, Institute of Corporate Affairs Management [ICAM];
Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in Nigeria [ClAN];
Izon-Out National Award in recognition of his enormous contribution to the development of the Ijaw [Izon] Nation;
Patron – Centenary Anniversary [1908 – 2008] of the Boys’ Brigade, Nigeria [2008];
Patron – Ecological Society of Nigeria [EcSN] [2007];
Patron – Science Teachers Association of Nigeria [STAN] [2006];
Grand Patron – Boys Brigade of Nigeria, First Yenogoa Company, Bayelsa State Command [2006];
Grand Patron – Bayelsa Independent Publishers Association [BIPA] [2005];
Grand Patron – Bayelsa State Union of Great Britain and Ireland.
Project
President Jonathan resuscitated the comatose railway sector.
Road construction and rehabilitation
Electoral reform
Nollywood entertainment support
Criticism/Controversy
- The tendency of President Jonathan’s administration to have myriad consultative committees and task forces, which seek to harmonize and synergize amongst an array of national stakeholders, was ultimately viewed as a weakness of his administration to act quickly, move decisively and respond adequately to new and emerging national challenges.
- He didn’t act decisively until eleventh hour when it became clear that his failure to put down Boko Haram was going to affect his chances at the polls. Despite international outcry and calls, especially by the Bring Back Our Girls campaigners, for the 200+ schoolgirls kidnapped by the extremist group from Chibok, to be rescued, his government failed in rescuing the girls.
- One of the weaknesses of Jonathan’s administration was its approach to corruption. He started out by granting pardon to his former benefactor ex-Bayelsa State Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who was convicted for money laundering and theft of state funds.
- Increased fuel pump price, and petrol.