Goodluck Jonathan
Today, 13th April 2016, we look back on Goodluck Jonathan’s one
year after loosing the presidential election and accepted defeat as well
as congratulating his opponent, Muhammadu Buhari.
Jonathan's historic and heroic action made world leaders, Nigerian
politicians and political observers shower praises on him, noting that
his concession of defeat prevented a repeat of the bloodshed that
followed the presidential election in 2011.
By that action, the ex-president seems to have won more hearts, attending conferences and receiving local and global awards.
Below are the most important events that happened in Jonathan’s life after the election.
1. Special Thanksgiving Service
A few days after handing over to President Muhammadu Buhari on May
29, Goodluck Jonathan and his wife Patience attended a special
Thanksgiving Service at the Saint Peters Anglican Church in Yenagoa,
Bayelsa state.
2. Vacation in Kenya
In August 2015, Goodluck Jonathan, his wife and children visited
Kenya’s Maasai Mara Games Reserve, where they had a chance to witness a
spectacular wildebeest migration. A day after the arrival, he appeared
on pages of foreign and national dailies.
3. Goodluck Jonathan becomes a granddad
On September 23, his daughter, Faith Sakwe and her husband,
Godswill Edward, welcomed an adorable baby girl in a US hospital. The
little girl was christened Princess Eliana Godswill Edward.
4. Observing elections in Tanzania
In October 2015, Jonathan was a leader of a 33-nation observer
mission that monitored elections in Tanzania. Using his acceptance of
defeat as a bright example, Jonathan assured politicians that they
should always put the interests of the citizens first.
5. The hero of democracy clocks 58
On November 20, Goodluck Jonathan celebrated his 58th birthday. The
former president spent this day with his family, close friends and
political allies who sent hearty birthday wishes to him and organized a
birthday party.
6. Meeting with future leaders
In November 2015, Jonathan went to the USA whe he met with students
of the Howard University School of Political Science. Speaking at the
event titled “Elections And Constitutions In Africa: A Timely Issue”,
the former president addressed future leaders and encouraged them to
embrace civil education.
7. Jonathan is a grandfather again!
On January 11, Jonathan’s adopted daughter, Inebharapu Paul,
welcomed her first child with her husband, Simeon Onyemaechi, at
Memorial Hospital West, in Florida, the USA. The boy was named Kachiside
Onyemachi.
8. The Martin Luther King Human Rights Award
On January 14, Jonathan was honoured by the Southern Christian
Leadership Conference in Atlanta, the USA. The ex-president received
this prestigious award in recognition of his leadership in advancing
human rights, social justice and the fight for universal freedom.
9. 2016 Hope Global Forums conference
Jonathan presented the keynote address at the 2016 Hope Global
Forums conference held in Atlanta, the USA. The event gathered thousands
of leaders, business professionals and public policy officials from
many countries who discussed the ways of advancing social and economic
well-being of all people around the world.
10. ‘Person of the Year 2015′
Jonathan was named the ‘Person of the Year’ by The African Sun
Times, Africa’s number one and largest newspaper in the USA. Expressing
gratitude for the award, the former president noted Nigerian people were
more deserving of this honour.
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