By The man Goodluck Jonathan as he turns 60
Today marks the 60th birthday of immediate past President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
GEJ as he is fondly called was born on November 20, 1957 in Ogbia, present day Bayelsa State. His parents were canoe makers in the fishing community where he was born.
President Jonathan obtained his first degree in Zoology then got a Masters in Hydrobiology and Fisheries Biology and a Doctorate degree in Zoology all from the University of Port Harcourt.
He worked briefly as a lecturer and environment inspection officer before venturing into politics in 1998. Following the return to democracy, GEJ emerged the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state alongside DSP Alamieyeseigha.
He emerged Governor in December 2005 following the scandalous ouster of his principal. He was later picked as the running mate to late Umar Musa Yar’Adua whose death would make Jonathan President in 2010.
Jonathan was initially sworn in as substantial President in February 2010 but was properly elected in 2011 which was the first time he would be running for office on his own. He was however voted out in 2015 while seeking reelection by incumbent Muhammadu Buhari whom he had defeated four years earlier.
President Jonthan’s administration was rife with several controversies and scandals which marred his government. Some of these scandals include the over 200 Chibok girls kidnap and the antagonised attempt to remove subsidy from petroleum.
As GEJ clocks 60 years, there are uncertainty as to his political future with many claiming he would be contesting again in 2019 although he has since kept mum over his future.
GEJ will be celebrating his birthday today with close friends and allies in his country home in Otuoke, Bayelsa.
