Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was born on the 20th of Nov. 1957, in Bayelsa state, Otuoke, Ogbia to be precise.
He was born to a family of canoe makers in a remote part of Bayelsa state. His parents and even extended family members were genuine Christians who spent their entire lives building boats for fishermen and traders within Bayelsa state.
Goodluck Jonathan’s academic history began at St. Stephen’s primary school in his hometown, after which he proceeded to Mater Dei High school, where he completed his secondary school. It was an ugly experience for Goodluck Jonathan while growing up as a child until he became a young adult.
Growing up, Jonathan wasn’t privileged like other children. He walked miles to school every day, barefooted and hungry, without even having a school bag to convey his books. The environ he grew up in, never had power supply. His family was too poor to afford a generator; thus, he studied using lanterns.
Throughout his university days, he struggled to pay his fees and could barely afford to live a comfortable lifestyle. However, since he was an optimistic young man who was passionate about being educated to the apex, he decided to further his education by going for a Master’s degree and Doctorate in Hydrobiology and fishery biology.
Years later, he was opportune to work as a lecturer at Rivers state college of education (which is currently a university), after which he was recruited at the defunct Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission as an Assistant Director.
After several years of building a thriving career, Goodluck Jonathan had the enthusiasm to venture into politics. His career in politics began after democracy was returned to Nigeria in 1998, due to the death of General Sani Abacha, who governed Nigeria as a military dictator from 1993.
During the 1998 elections, Goodluck Jonathan was fortunately selected by Diepreye Alaimeyeseigha, a governorship candidate in the People’s Democratic Party (P.D.P), to be his running mate. They won the election, and Goodluck Jonathan made history by being the first civilian deputy governor of Bayelsa state.
After years of serving as a deputy governor, he then successfully became the governor of Bayelsa state and was sworn into office. Jonathan was a diligent, humble and loyal servant to the state, and this earned him charisma.
In 2007, he was chosen by Yar’ Adua to be his vice when he contested in the 2007 presidential election. Owing to the love and support offered to Jonathan and his running mate, Yar’ Adua, the outcome of the election was in their favour. They won the election and took the oath of office to serve the country.
Yar” Adua was president while Goodluck Jonathan became his vice. Exactly three years after then, the president, Yar’ Adua died after a long-term illness. Jonathan was made acting president on 9th Feb. 2010 and was finally sworn in as president of the federal republic of Nigeria on 5th of May 2010, which is in accordance with the constitution.
Although he later lost to Muhammadu Buhari in the next election in 2015, Goodluck Jonathan had a remarkable rule in Nigeria that the citizens still reminisce on.
Now, are you currently trapped in an unpleasant scenario that makes your future seem gloomy? Or perhaps, you have a billion valid reasons why you should abandon the dream you’ve been pursuing for years? The best thing to do is to say NO!!!
Say NO to the doubts, the fears, the objections, and the discouragements. Jonathan was once a wretched son of a poor canoe builder. He actually had no helping hand, and the picture seemed hopeless. However, he said, No! He disagreed with his fears and the disbelief from his family. He was resolute in his decision to emerge a winner. Even when his father couldn’t afford to further his academics, Jonathan refused to give up. Instead, he struggled to educate himself far beyond the expectations of his family.
On the journey to success, you may be devastated or discouraged. However, don’t ever give up on hope. George Eliot said, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been”. Thus, even when it seems like you haven’t yet attained the height, you should have reached, still keep hope alive. You will get there.
Although there may be terrible and discouraging occurrences around you, simply ignore and consider them as mere distractions. Don’t forget what Deepak Chopra said, “in the midst of Chaos, keep stillness inside of you”.
Even in turbulent storms, try to maintain calmness within you. The ability not to lose focus remains one of the key qualities of a true winner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8xUP0MslL0
