As the former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, turns 58 years old today, Nigerians have taken to the social media, especially twitter and Facebook to celebrate him.
Born on November 20th 1957 into a family of canoe makers in Otueke, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the ex-president is fondly remembered by Nigerians for his exemplary leadership and for being a man of great wisdom and virtue.
Jonathan joined politics in 1998 and was voted deputy governor of Bayelsa state in 1999, a post he held until 2006.
He however became the governor of the state following the impeachment of (late) Governor Diepreye S.P. Alamieyeseigha.
He was picked as the running mate to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2007 and they won the presidential election, after which he rose to be the president of Nigeria on May 5, 2010, following death of Yar’Adua.
In 2011, he was elected Nigeria’s 14th president. He ran again for a second tenure in 2015 but lost to President Muhammadu Buhari.
He is married to Dame Patience Jonathan and they have two children.
Since leaving office, Jonathan has played important international roles in ensuring that peace is sustained in many African countries.
In October, he led the Commonwealth delegation, as part of the international observers to monitor the Tanzanian general election held on October 25 which was a big success.
As he celebrates his 58th birthday today, Jonathan, whose notable quote in Nigeria is “Nobody’s political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian”, has received several accolades from Nigerians.
A congratulatory message from lawmaker representing Ojo Federal Constituency in the lower legislative chamber, Hon. Tajudeen Obasa described Jonathan as “A good man, a blessed one, and an individual that believes power is transient.
He said, “Families and friends of the Jonathans should remain grateful and see it as a point of duty during his lifetime to annually celebrate him due to his worthy legacies of promoting good governance, championing national unity and restoring confidence in democracy,”
Jonathan who is presently in the United States has also been getting loads of birthday greetings on social media especially on Twitter.
See tweets below:
YOUWIN made people I knew truly win. Such stuff usually went to politicians and their relatives BUT it was different #HappyBirthdayGEJ
— Philip Asuquo (@PhilAsuquOtes) November 20, 2015
He came, he saw and he conquered in peace. #HappybirthdayGEJ
— Stan US (@MgbemeneUS) November 20, 2015
Maximum respect to My Hero of Life. A Man of Peace. Epitome of humility. #HappyBirthdayGEJ
— KUNLE ADEDEJI DV (@aikunlej) November 20, 2015
Nigeria is still one today because you calm the very tensed atmosphere with that historic phone call.Thank you and #HappyBirthdayGEJ
— Godwin Etim (@goddae) November 20, 2015
LONG LIVE THE KING. #HappyBirthdayGEJ
— Fame (@ButterflyswagD) November 20, 2015
They (APC) mention u in their rooms, meetings, offices, cars, toilets. U av become their obsession. To a great man. #HappyBirthdayGEJ
— Ekiti Young Pros (@Ekitiyp) November 20, 2015
To the man who had no shoes, but whose shoes some ppl r finding hard to fill, #HappyBirthdayGEJ
— afrispheric | 5% 9ja (@afrispheric) November 20, 2015
Happy Birthday GEJ. You showed love for our welfare within 100days in office. Increased minimum wage to 18,000 Corpers Allowance 19,500
— Ebube Nwa GEJ (@akaebube) November 20, 2015
Happy birthday GEJ, the man that showed the world Africa has leaders that can accept defeat without violence …
— Daniel Kazaya Verbo (@Mistahsix4) November 20, 2015