Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Biography & Net Worth

3 years ago

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Biography & Net Worth

Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan GCFR, GCON is a Nigerian politician who served as the President of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015.

Goodluck Jonathan Early Life

Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan was born on November 20, 1957 in Otuoke, Bayelsa State. He is from the Ijaw descent born to Lawrence, a Canoe-maker and Eunice, a retired farmer. He attended St. Stephens Primary School, Otuoke and later moved to St. Michaels Primary school, Olobiri for his primary education. He then moved to Master Dei High School, Ogbia for his secondary education.

Next, he attended the University of Port Harcourt where he obtained a B.Sc in Zoology, M.Sc in Hydrobiology and Ph.D in Fisheries Biology. Until 1998, Goodluck was a Science Inspector of Education, a Lecturer and also served as an Environmental Protection Officer.

Goodluck Jonathan Personal Life

Goodluck is married to Dame Patience Jonathan, and they are blessed with two children – Ariwera and Aruabi Jonathan.

Goodluck Jonathan Political Positions

Jonathan has served in different political positions. He started as a deputy governor in 1998, next, governor of Bayelsa State in 2005. He later served as the Vice President and the President of Nigeria from 2007 and 2010 respectively.

Deputy Governor And Governor

Goodluck began his political career in 1998 when he was chosen by Diepreye Alaimeyesiegha as running mate. Diepreye was the gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Bayelsa State. The duo won the election and they were sworn in on May 29, 1999.

Luckily, they were also re-elected in 2004. Jonathan was recognised as the most hardworking deputy governor in Nigeria as a result of his support for Diepreye.

Jonathan continued in his service as the deputy governor until December 12, 2005 when he was sworn in as governor. This was because of the impeachment of Governor Diepreye by the National Assembly for money laundering in United Kingdom.

Vice President

His journey to being the vice President of the country began in 2007, when he was nominated to be the running mate of Governor Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua. They both contested under the People’s Democratic Party. The duo won the general election, and was inaugurated on May 29, 2007.

This marked the first peaceful transition of power from one democratic leader to another since Nigeria’s independence in 1960. Jonathan became the first civilian from the South-South geopolitical zone to hold such office.

However, the president took ill in office and was taken to Saudi Arabi for treatment. Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as acting president following the prolonged illness of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He was later sworn in as the 14th Head of State in line with the constitution of the country after the death of Yar’Adua.

President

Goodluck became President in 2010 and in 2011 he announced his interest to run in the race for the office of presidency. That was the first time he ran for any public office on his own. He always got in on a platter of gold.

On April 18, 2011, he was elected the President of Nigeria along with his running mate Namadi Sambo. He held this position until 2015.

While in office, he created his agenda in line with the vision 2020 of his predecessor.

Presidential Accomplishments

Goodluck Jonathan launched the power sector reformation on August 2, 2010 with the aim of achieving a stable electricity supply in Nigeria. He oversaw the privatization of the Nigeria’s power sector by breaking the Power Holding Company of Nigeria into 15 firms. He then contracted the service of a Canada-based consulting firm, CPCS Transcom Limited to act as the transaction adviser for the handing over of state electricity assets.

Also, he launched the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YoUWiN) on October 11, 2011. YouWin is a national business plan competition that harnesses the creative energies of young people and help their businesses grow. It is for small business owners whose enterprise can create employment for other youths.

Goodluck created the transformation agenda with a summary of the Federal Government plans on how to deliver projects, programs and key priority policies. With this, he promoted social advancement through gender inclusion and equity.

He also expanded access to education through the establishments of tertiary institution and primary schools. In addition, he worked on agriculture, industrial production and creative industries.

Lastly, he displayed his love for peace and democracy after he lost the 2015 election to Major General Muhammadu Buhari. He called the then president elect and congratulated him. It was first in the history of the country.

Goodluck Jonathan Foundation

Jonathan is the founder and CEO of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation. He believes that peace and harmony is a prerequisite for a nation’s economic growth and poverty reduction. As a lover of peace, he established the foundation in order to raise civic awareness, promote political transition and increase political participation across Africa.

GEJ Foundation is interested in the nation’s sustainable prosperity. So, it supports youth and women enterprises by giving them access to skills acquisition, and training opportunities that enhances their income earning capabilities.

Recently, the foundation organised a one-day conference on peaceful elections, and national development in Abuja on February, 7, 2019.

Goodluck Jonathan Awards

Platinum Award, Glo-Caf Awards, 2013
Primatial Award, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, 2014.
Peace Loving Global Citizen Award, Universal Peace Federation (UPF), for accepting the 2015 presidential poll result, 2015.
President’s Award, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, SCLC, in recognition of his leadership in human rights, social justice and the universal fight for freedom. 2016
Leadership Person of the Year, Leadership Newspaper Awards, 2016
Personality of the Year, Vanguard, 2016
International Person of the Year, The African Sun Times, 2016
Icon of Democracy Awards, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers, 2018
Grand Award as the Ijaw Man For All Season, Ijaw Republican Assembly, 2018