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| Goodluck Jonathan | |
|---|---|
 Jonathan in January 2013, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. | |
| President of Nigeria | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 6 May 2010 Acting: 9 February 2010 – 6 May 2010 | |
| Vice President | Namadi Sambo |
| Preceded by | Umaru Yar'Adua |
| Vice-President of Nigeria | |
| In office 29 May 2007 – 6 May 2010 | |
| President | Umaru Yar'Adua |
| Preceded by | Atiku Abubakar |
| Succeeded by | Namadi Sambo |
| Governor of Bayelsa | |
| In office 9 December 2005 – 28 May 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Diepreye Alamieyeseigha |
| Succeeded by | Timipre Sylva |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan (1957-11-20) 20 November 1957 (age 67) Ogbia, Nigeria |
| Political party | People's Democratic Party |
| Spouse | Patience Jonathan |
| Alma mater | University of Port Harcourt |
| Profession | Zoologist |
Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, GCFR, BNER, GCON (born 20 November 1957) is the 14th Head of State and current President of Nigeria. Prior to his role as President, he served as Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Governor of Bayelsa State and Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Jonathan is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).
Early and personal life
Jonathan was born in what is now Bayelsa State to a family of canoe makers. Jonathan holds a BS degree in Zoology in which he attained Second Class Honours. He holds an MSc degree in Hydrobiology and Fisheries biology, and a PhD degree in Zoology from the University of Port Harcourt. Before he entered politics in 1998, he worked as an education inspector, lecturer, and environmental-protection officer.
Jonathan and his wife Patience have two children. He is a Christian. He comes from the Ijaw ethnic group.
In 2007, President Jonathan declared his assets worth a total of ₦ 295,304,420 Naira ($8,569,662 USD).
Presidency
Order of Succession
In accordance with the order of succession in the Nigerian constitution following President Umaru Yar'Adua's death on 5 May 2010, Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 6 May 2010, becoming Nigeria's 14th Head of State. He cited anti-corruption, power and electoral reforms as focuses of his administration. He stated that he came to office under "very sad and unusual circumstances".
On 18 May 2010, the National Assembly approved Jonathan's nomination of former Kaduna State governor, Namadi Sambo, for the position of Vice-President.
Facebook launch
On 29 June 2010, President Jonathan became the first serving Nigerian president to launch a Facebook page. He stated that this action was part of fulfilling a promise he had made earlier to interact more with Nigerians.
2011 presidential campaign and elections
On 15 September 2010, Jonathan announced on the social media website, Facebook that he had decided to run for his first ever political election to hold public office as President of Nigeria in 2011.
In the contest for the Peoples Democratic Party nomination, Goodluck Jonathan was up against the former vice-president Atiku Abubakar and Mrs. Sarah Jubril. On 13 January 2011 the primary election results was announced in Eagle Square, Abuja with victory in two-thirds of the states of the federation counted and Jonathan was declared winner.
For the general election in 2011, Jonathan and vice-president Sambo attended political events and travelled the country to campaign for the nation's highest office. Jonathan won the general election against General Muhammadu Buhari and Nuhu Ribadu with 59% of the votes. On 18 April, Jonathan was declared the winner of the election.
Major initiatives
Roadmap for power sector reform
On 2 August 2010 Jonathan launched his 'Roadmap for Power Sector Reform‘. Its primary goal was to achieve stable electricity in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Power Sector has been historically plagued by blackouts. Economists estimate that the power outages cost Nigeria, Africa's second biggest economy, billions of dollars on imported diesel for generators and in lost output. Jonathan has been overseeing the privatisation of his country's power sector, the end goal being an efficient and reliable power supply for the Nigerian population. The Power Holding Company of Nigeria, which acted as the state electricity provider, has been broken up into 15 firms, with Nigeria handing over control of state electricity assets to 15 private bidding companies. The Nigerian government contracted the services of CPCS Transcom Limited, a Canada-based consulting firm specialising in transportation and energy infrastructure projects, to act as the transaction adviser for the handover of state electricity assets.
Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria
On 11 October 2011, President Jonathan launched the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YOUWIN) Initiative which he stated was an innovative business plan competition that harnesses the creative energies of young people between the ages of 18 and 35. The YOUWIN Initiative is expected to create between 40,000 to 50,000 sustainable jobs by 2014.
Transformation agenda
In 2011, President Jonathan launched the Transformation Agenda. The Transformation Agenda is based on a summary of how the Federal Government hopes to deliver projects, programmes, and key priority policies, from 2011 to 2015 coordinated by the National Planning Commission (NPC). It focuses on projects, programs, and key priority policies in the following areas:
Real sector, Agriculture & Rural Development, Water Resources, Commerce & Industry, Mines & Steel Development, Physical Infrastructure, Transport, Roads & Bridges, FERMA (for Maintenance of Roads), Shipping Ports, Aviation, Railways, Oil & Gas, Power (energy), Regional Development, Housing, Federal Capital Territory, Niger Delta, Knowledge-Based & ICT, Science and Technology, Human Capital Development, Education, Health, Women & Social Development, Youth Development, Labour & Productivity, General Administration and Defence & Security.
Foreign policy
According to President Jonathan, Nigeria's foreign policy was reviewed to reflect a “citizen-focused” foreign policy designed to “accord this vision of defending the dignity of humanity the highest priority" and connect foreign policy to domestic policy while placing a greater emphasis on economic diplomacy.
Acting President
On 9 February 2010, a motion from the Nigerian Senate confirmed the powers to Goodluck Johnathan to act as President of the federation because President Yar'Adua went for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia in November 2009. On 10 February 2010, during his first day as acting president, Jonathan announced a minor cabinet reshuffle. Prince Adetokunbo Kayode who was the Labour Minister, was named Minister of Justice, to replace the controversial Mr Mike Aondoakaa. Aondoakaa was named as the Minister of Special Duties, and his counterpart Ibrahim Kazaure, was named Minister of Labour.
Acting President Jonathan also promised to continue implementing the Seven-point agenda policy framework of President Umaru Musa Yar’adua.
Vice Presidency
As Vice-President, Jonathan took on a very low profile while recognising the constitutional limits of the Vice-President office, he participated in cabinet meetings and, by statute, membership in the National Security Council, the National Defence Council, Federal Executive Council, and the Chairman of National Economic Council.
Vice-President Jonathan was instrumental in negotiating an agreement with many of the major militant groups in the Niger Delta, who were mostly his fellow Ijaws, to lay down their weapons and stop fighting as part of a government amnesty.
Governor of Bayelsa
On 9 December 2005, Jonathan, who was Deputy Governor at the time, was sworn in as Governor of Bayelsa State upon the impeachment of the current Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha by the Bayelsa State Assembly after being charged with money laundering in the United Kingdom. In September 2006, Jonathan was marred by the indictment of his wife by the nation's anti-crime agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for crimes related to money laundering.
Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State
On 29 May 1999, Jonathan was sworn in as Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State alongside Diepreye Alamieyeseigha who was sworn in as the Governor of the state on the platform of PDP. Jonathan served as Deputy Governor until December 2005.
Lead poisoning outbreak
In January 2013, Jonathan reportedly promised $4 million to assist in cleaning up villages that have been affected by a lead poisoning outbreak. Over 400 children have died and Human Rights Watch said that releasing the funds “could be lifesaving for countless children.”
Controversies
World Cup 2010
In 2010 after the Nigerian football team failed to progress beyond the group stage at FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Jonathan declared a two-year ban on the country's national football team from all international competitions. FIFA, the world football governing body, objected and stated that it would expel Nigeria from world football if the government interfered. Subsequently Jonathan bowed to pressure and lifted the ban.
Removal of fuel subsidy
On 13 December 2011, the 2012 fiscal year's budget removed any provisions for the existing fuel subsidy. According to a poll carried out by the Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE- Nigeria), 80% of Nigerians opposed the plan to remove the fuel subsidy.
On 1 January 2012, the Jonathan administration announced the start of a controversial plan to end fuel subsidies. Many prominent Nigerians spoke out against the removal of fuel subsidy by the Jonathan administration. Former Petroleum Minister Professor Tam David-West has spoken out and expressed concern that the planned removal of the fuel subsidy will squeeze the economy, increase inflation, and hurt both businesses and the public.
A former military Head of State and a former Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources, General Buhari, urged President Jonathan not to remove the fuel subsidy and to tackle corruption.
General Yakubu Gowon, another former military Head of State, warned the government that the country's infrastructure should be revived before fuel subsidy removal steps were taken.
Former military president Gen. Ibrahim Babangida joined millions of Nigerians protesting against the removal of the fuel subsidy by the Jonathan administration, saying that the action is ill-timed.
Following the The Nigeria Labour Congress' warning that the country faces many strikes, the country unions followed up with strikes that were matched with civil protests from 9–13 January 2012. Protesters and groups called for President Jonathan to resign over the removal of fuel subsidies. After five days of national protests and strikes, on 16 January, Jonathan announced that the pump price of petroleum would be 97 naira per litre.
1 October 2010 Independence Day bomb blast
During his South African magistrate court trial on 2 May 2012, MEND's (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta) former leader Henry Okah came out and insisted that President Jonathan masterminded the 1 October 2010 independence day bomb attacks. He told the court that President Jonathan and his aides organised the attacks in Abuja in a desperate political strategy to demonise political opponents, including the former military President General Ibrahim Babangida, and to win popular sympathy ahead of the 2011 elections.
The Nigerian Presidency has denied the allegations of terrorism leveled against President Jonathan. A media statement was issued on 2 May 2012, acknowledging the accusations from Okah. The statement went on to say that: “The Presidency categorically affirms that these allegations are false in their entirety and without any factual foundation." The Presidency also expressed no interest in commenting further for the time being, but planned to "make a full representation on the matter to the court when the trial opens."
Renaming of the University of Lagos
In May 2012, President Jonathan changed the name of the University of Lagos to the Moshood Abiola University in honour of the late MKO Abiola. The action drew attention from critics; among them were pro-Abiola advocates and parties involved with the university. Some critics cited that the President did not submit an appropriate bill to the legislature for the change; that the University's brand name should not be tampered with. The UNILAG Alumni Association commented that although they do not have prejudice against MKO Abiola, they were concerned "that neither the Governing Council nor the University Senate nor any other stakeholder was consulted before the change was announced." Bola Tinubu congratulated Jonathan for taking action, but urged him to "do it right", adding that "we must be careful not to localise or sectionalise MKO". The President has attempted to regularise the renaming of the school by submitting a bill for an amendment of the University's establishing law to the legislature.
Security challenges
On 26 August 2011, after the UN building in Abuja was bombed by Boko Haram, Jonathan announced that it was not merely an attack on Nigeria, but on the international community. He told reporters that "we would work together with the UN and other world leaders to ensure that terrorism is brought under control."
In response to the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta's attack on an oil pipeline on 4 February 2012 in Bayelsa, the Senate President David Mark stated that the security situation in the country is "intolerable".
On 14 May 2013, Jonathan declared a state of emergency in three north-eastern Nigerian states, Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa to curtail the activities of Boko Haram. Although initially offering amnesty, by June 2013 he ordered for 20-year jail terms for anyone found to be in support of Boko Haram.
See also
References
- ^ Lawson Heyford, "Jonathan: A Colossus at 49", The Source (Lagos), 11 December 2006
- Profile: Goodluck Jonathan. Al Jazeera.net.
- "Profile: Goodluck Jonathan". BBC News. 6 May 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
- "Profile: Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria's unlikely leader". BBC. 22 February 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
- ^ "Profiles".
- President,Commander-In-Chief.aspx News Agency of Nigeria story on newly sworn President Jonathan
- "Nigeria swears in new president". Al Jazeera. 6 May 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
- "NASS confirms Sambo as vice president". Punch Newspaper
- "National Assembly confirms Sambo as Vice President", Liberty News
- Facebook fan-page. Ngex.com.
- Cite error: The named reference
Facebook Fan-pagewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - "Goodluck Jonathan Defeats Atiku in PDP Presidential Primary".
- "Goodluck Jonathan sworn in as Nigerian president". The Guardian. 29 May 2011. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- Nuhu Ribadu for President 2011 :: Official Website. Ribadu2011.com (15 April 2011).
- CNN report on the 2011 general election in Nigeria. CNN.
- "Nigeria's Jonathan declared winner of election".
- Roadmap for Power Sector Reform. (PDF).
- Nigeria takes next step in power privatization. Reuters.
- (PHCN). Nigeria Electricity Privatisation.
- "Nigeria: Government Launches YOUWIN to Curb Unemployment".
- "Transformation Agenda" (PDF).
- "President Jonathan on Review of Nigeria's Foreign Policy".
- "Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan 'is acting president'". BBC News. 25 February 2010. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
- "Jonathan Redeploys Aondoakaa".
- "Seven-point agenda alive – Jonathan – Daily Trust".
- "Profile: Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan".
- "The man Goodluck Ebele Jonathan".
- McNeil, Jr., Donald (29 January 2013). "Nigeria: Money Promised to Clean Up Lead That Killed Hundreds of Children". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
- "World Cup 2010: Nigerian president lifts ban on team".
- "Nigeria's President Removes Petrol Subsidy".
- "80% Of Nigerians Oppose Subsidy Removal – Pollsters".
- "Nigeria fuel subsidy end raises protest fears". BBC News. 1 January 2012.
- "Subsidy removal will choke economy, says David-West".
- "Buhari to Jonathan – Leave Subsidy, Tackle Graft".
- "Gowon to Jonathan: don't remove subsidy now".
- "IBB: Deregulation Ill-timed".
- "Protests in Lagos, Ibadan Over Removal of Subsidy".
- "Subsidy Removal – CNPP Calls for Jonathan's Resignation".
- "Nigeria Cuts Fuel Prices After Strike, Protests".
- "'Jonathan Begged Me To Blame North For October 1 Blasts', Henry Okah Claims".
- "Okah Lied over Oct 2010 Bombing".
- "Jonathan denies allegations that he masterminded Independence Day bombings".
- Soyinka, Wole. "Goodluck Jonathan's Gift Horse By Wole Soyinka". Daily Post. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
- Babalola, Afe. "Renaming UNILAG is illegal and unconstitutional (2)". Punch. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
- Various (1 June 2012). "Tinubu, Fayemi, others reject UNILAG renaming". Punch. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
- Sahara Reporters (30 May 2012). "UNILAG Alumni Association rejects institution's name change by Jonathan". Information Nigeria. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
- "Nigerian leader vows to fight terrorism after UN attack". BBC News. 28 August 2011.
- "Nigerian Militant Group MEND Says It Attacked Eni Pipeline".
- "Nigeria's security situation 'intolerable': senate president".
- Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan declares emergency in 3 states. Retrieved 4 June 2013
- Nigeria orders 20-year jail term for Boko Haram support. Retrieved 4 June 2013
Further reading
- Ayoade, John A., and Adeoye A. Akinsanya, eds. Nigeria's Critical Election, 2011 (Lexington Books; 2012)
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byDiepreye Alamieyeseigha | Governor of Bayelsa State 2005–2007 |
Succeeded byTimipre Sylva |
| Preceded byUmaru Yar'Adua | President of Nigeria 2010– |
Incumbent |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded byUmaru Yar'Adua | People's Democratic Party presidential nominee 2011 Won |
Succeeded byMost recent |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded byUmaru Yar'Adua | Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States 2010–2012 |
Succeeded byAlassane Ouattara |
| Heads of state of Nigeria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Queen (1960–1963) |  | |
| President of the First Republic (1963–1966) | ||
| Military regime (1966–1979) | ||
| President of the Second Republic (1979–1983) | ||
| Military regime (1983–1999) | ||
| President of the Fourth Republic (from 1999) | ||
| *Civilian; headed transition to abortive Third Republic | ||
| Governors of Bayelsa State | |
|---|---|
| Vice presidents of Nigeria | ||
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| † military | ||
| Cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan | |
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| The Cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan which was formed during his time as Acting President, on 6 April 2010, is shown below. Ministers of State are not shown. | |
| Agriculture |
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| Aviation |
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| Commerce & Industry |
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| Culture & Tourism |
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| Defence |
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| Education |
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| Environment |
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| FCT |
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| Finance |
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| Foreign Affairs |
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| Health |
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| Information & Communications |
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| Interior |
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| Justice |
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| Labour & Productivity |
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| Lands & Urban Development |
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| Mines & Steel Development |
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| National Planning Commission |
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| National Sports Commission |
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| Niger Delta Affairs |
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| Petroleum Resources |
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| Police Affairs |
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| Power |
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| Science & Technology |
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| Special Duties |
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| Transport |
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| Women Affairs |
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| Works |
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| Youth Development |
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| See also Cabinet of President Umaru Yar'Adua | |
| Heads of state of OPEC member states | |
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