Nigeria’s leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has felicitated former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on his 66th birthday.
Former President Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s vice president (2007 – 2010) and head of state from 2010 to 2015, was born on 20 November, 1957.
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President Tinubu, who is currently in Germany to attend the G20 Compact with Africa Conference, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, praised the one-time Head of State, Goodluck Jonathan, for his unique demonstration of statesmanship and for his distinguishing achievement as a leader.
President Tinubu said the celebrant gave Nigeria and Africa a pride of place in democratic lore by upending the vitiating paradigm of those who seek to hold onto power by all means.
It would be recalled that former President Jonathan was the first incumbent president in Nigerian history to concede defeat in an election, having lost the 2015 presidential election to the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari.
He described former President Goodluck Jonathan as an icon of democracy, whose humility continues to inspire hope for good governance in the country and on the continent.
President @officialABAT celebrates Icon of Democracy, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, at 66
On behalf of the people and government of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu celebrates former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, on his 66th birthday, for his unique demonstration of… pic.twitter.com/AXXU1lXeO7
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) November 19, 2023
“The president believes the former president possesses a distinguished profile on leadership, rising up the ladder as deputy governor, governor, vice-president and president, and now championing the cause of peace in Africa by bringing together and counselling leaders on harmonious co-existence for the benefit of the people they serve.
“The president commends former President Jonathan for committing himself to the service of humanity and to strengthening democratic institutions, exemplified by his relentless peace missions and advocacy of non-violence in the peaceful transition of power across the African continent,” the statement read in part.
Nigeria’s leader, Tinubu, affirmed that former President Jonathan’s wisdom, foresight, and patriotism will continue to set an example for leaders aspiring to make a difference in Nigeria and beyond.
He further prayed that God Almighty would continually sustain the former president and his wife, Patience, in good health and strength.
