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{{Short description|First Lady of Nigeria (2007–2010)}}
{{Short description|First Lady of Nigeria (2010–2015)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Patience Jonathan
| name = Patience Jonathan
| nickname =
| nickname =
| image = Patience Jonathan 2013.jpg
| image = Patience Jonathan 2013.jpg
| caption =
| caption =
| order1 = Second Lady of Nigeria
| order1 = Second Lady of Nigeria
| 1blankname1 = {{nowrap|Vice President}}
| 1blankname1 = {{nowrap|Vice President}}
| 1namedata1 = [[Goodluck Jonathan]]
| 1namedata1 = [[Goodluck Jonathan]]
| 1blankname2 = {{nowrap|[[First Lady of Nigeria|First Lady]]}}
| 1blankname2 = {{nowrap|[[First Lady of Nigeria|First Lady]]}}
| 1namedata2 = [[Turai Yar'Adua]]
| 1namedata2 = [[Turai Yar'Adua]]
| term_label1 = In role
| term_label1 = In role
| term_start1 = 29 May 2007
| term_start1 = 29 May 2007
| term_end1 = 6 May 2010
| term_end1 = 6 May 2010
| predecessor2 = [[Amina Titi Atiku-Abubakar|Amina Atiku-Abubakar]]
| predecessor2 = [[Amina Titi Atiku-Abubakar|Amina Atiku-Abubakar]]
| successor2 = Amina Sambo
| successor2 = Amina Sambo
| party =
| party =
| office = [[First Lady of Nigeria]]
| office = [[First Lady of Nigeria]]
| president = [[Goodluck Jonathan]]
| president = [[Goodluck Jonathan]]
| term_start = 6 May 2010
| term_label = In role
| term_end = 29 May 2015
| term_start = 6 May 2010
| term_end = 29 May 2015
| predecessor = [[Turai Yar'Adua]]
| successor = [[Aisha Buhari]]
| predecessor = [[Turai Yar'Adua]]
| successor = [[Aisha Buhari]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1957|10|25|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1957|10|25|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Port Harcourt]], [[Rivers State|Rivers]], Nigeria
| birth_place = [[Port Harcourt]], [[Eastern Region, Nigeria|Eastern Region]], [[British Nigeria]] (now in [[Rivers State, Nigeria]])
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_date =
| alma_mater = [[University of Port Harcourt]]
| death_place =
| alma_mater = [[University of Port Harcourt]]
| birth_name = Patience Faka Iwari
| religion =
| spouse = [[Goodluck Jonathan]]
| spouse = [[Goodluck Jonathan]]
| children = 2
| children = 2
| residence = [[Old GRA, Port Harcourt]]<ref name="nationalnetwork">{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalnetworkonline.com/vol10n25/patiencejonathansvisit.html|title=First Lady, Patience Jonathan Ends Visit To Rivers|date=2013-07-02|work=[[Nationalnetworkonline.com]]|location=[[Port Harcourt]], [[Nigeria]]|publisher=Network Printing and Publishing Company|accessdate=2014-05-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714112954/http://www.nationalnetworkonline.com/vol10n25/patiencejonathansvisit.html|archive-date=14 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="vanguardngr.com">{{cite web|last=Onoyume|first=Jimitota|title=Burial of First Lady's mother: Police beef up security in Port Harcourt|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/burial-first-ladys-mother-police-beef-security-port-harcourt/|location=[[Lagos]], [[Nigeria]]|work=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]|date=2013-10-31|accessdate=2014-05-31}}</ref>
| residence = [[Old GRA, Port Harcourt]]<ref name="nationalnetwork">{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalnetworkonline.com/vol10n25/patiencejonathansvisit.html|title=First Lady, Patience Jonathan Ends Visit To Rivers|date=2013-07-02|work=[[Nationalnetworkonline.com]]|location=[[Port Harcourt]], [[Nigeria]]|publisher=Network Printing and Publishing Company|accessdate=2014-05-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714112954/http://www.nationalnetworkonline.com/vol10n25/patiencejonathansvisit.html|archive-date=14 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="vanguardngr.com">{{cite web|last=Onoyume|first=Jimitota|title=Burial of First Lady's mother: Police beef up security in Port Harcourt|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/burial-first-ladys-mother-police-beef-security-port-harcourt/|location=[[Lagos]], [[Nigeria]]|work=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]|date=2013-10-31|accessdate=2014-05-31}}</ref>
⚫
| nationality = [[Nigerian]]
| relations =
| signature =
⚫
| nationality = [[Nigerian]]
}}
}}


<!-- '''Dame''' (WHAT DAMEHOOD) -->
'''Dame Patience Faka Jonathan''' (''née'' '''iwari''')<ref name="buzznigeria.com">{{Cite news|url=https://buzznigeria.com/funniest-quotes-patience-jonathan/|title=Patience Jonathan Biography, Children, Funniest Quotes You've Never Heard|date=2014-08-20|work=BuzzNigeria|access-date=2018-05-24|language=en-US}}</ref> was born on 25 October 1957. She is the former [[First Lady of Nigeria]] and the wife of former Governor of Bayelsa State and also former [[President of Nigeria]], [[Goodluck Jonathan|Goodluck Ebele Jonathan]]. She served as a Permanent Secretary in [[Bayelsa State]].<ref>"Lady of a Nation", ''Nigeria Stepping Ahead'', Toronto, June 2010.</ref>
'''Patience Faka Jonathan''' ({{nee}} '''Iwari''';<ref name="buzznigeria.com">{{Cite news|url=https://buzznigeria.com/funniest-quotes-patience-jonathan/|title=Patience Jonathan Biography, Children, Funniest Quotes You've Never Heard|date=2014-08-20|work=BuzzNigeria|access-date=2018-05-24|language=en-US}}</ref> born 25 October 1957) is a Nigerian civil servant who served as the [[First Lady of Nigeria]] from 2010 to 2015 and second lady of Nigeria from 2007 to 2010. She is the wife of former [[President of Nigeria|President]] and [[Vice President of Nigeria]] [[Goodluck Jonathan|Goodluck Ebele Jonathan]]. She served as a Permanent Secretary in [[Bayelsa State]].<ref>"Lady of a Nation", ''Nigeria Stepping Ahead'', Toronto, June 2010.</ref>


==Education==
==Education==
Patience Jonathan was born in [[Port Harcourt]], where she earned her school certificate in 1976, and passed the [[West African School Certificate]] Examination (WASCE) in 1980. In 1989, she obtained the National Certificate of Education (NCE) in Mathematics and Biology from the [[Rivers State College of Arts and Science]], Port Harcourt. She then proceeded to the [[University of Port Harcourt]] and studied for a [[BEd]] in Biology and Psychology. She was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Port Harcourt.<ref name="Who's Who">{{cite web|url=http://www.africa-confidential.com/whos-who-profile/id/3317 |title=Profile: Patience Jonathan |publisher=Africa Confidential |year=2011 |accessdate=2012-01-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/07/dame-patience-jonathan-the-perm-sec/ |title=Dame Patience Jonathan, the Perm. Sec - Vanguard News |publisher=Vanguardngr.com |date=2012-07-27 |accessdate=2014-06-20}}</ref>
Patience Faka Iwari was born in [[Port Harcourt]], [[Rivers State]], Nigeria, where she earned her school certificate in 1976, and passed the [[West African School Certificate]] Examination (WASCE) in 1980. In 1989, she obtained the National Certificate of Education (NCE) in Mathematics and Biology from the [[Rivers State College of Arts and Science]], Port Harcourt. She then proceeded to the [[University of Port Harcourt]] and studied for a [[BEd]] in Biology and Psychology. She was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Port Harcourt.<ref name="Who's Who">{{cite web|url=http://www.africa-confidential.com/whos-who-profile/id/3317 |title=Profile: Patience Jonathan |publisher=Africa Confidential |year=2011 |accessdate=2012-01-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/07/dame-patience-jonathan-the-perm-sec/ |title=Dame Patience Jonathan, the Perm. Sec - Vanguard News |publisher=Vanguardngr.com |date=2012-07-27 |accessdate=2014-06-20}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
Dame Patience Jonathan started her career as a teacher at the [[Stella Maris College, Port Harcourt]] and at the Sports Institute, Isaka. She then moved to the banking sector in 1997 where she served as the marketing manager of Imiete Community Bank. After which she established the first community bank in Port Harcourt called the Akpo Community Bank. She then returned to the classroom briefly again as a teacher. Eventually she was transferred to the [[Bayelsa State]] Ministry of Education, where she served until 29 May 1999, when her husband became the deputy governor of the state. On 12 July 2012, she was appointed as permanent secretary in Bayelsa state by [[Henry Dickson|Henry Seriake Dickson]]. The appointment was unique considering she had been on leave from the civil service for over 13 years, since her husband became deputy governor in 1999,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.punchng.com/news/bayelsa-outrage-over-patience-jonathans-appointment-as-permanent-secretary/ |title=Bayelsa: Outrage over Patience Jonathan's appointment as Permanent Secretary |publisher=Punchng.com |date=2012-07-12 |accessdate=2014-06-20 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215175114/http://www.punchng.com/news/bayelsa-outrage-over-patience-jonathans-appointment-as-permanent-secretary/ |archivedate=15 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://dailyindependentnig.com/2012/07/knocks-trail-patience-jonathans-appointment-as-perm-sec/ |title=Knocks trail Patience Jonathan's appointment as Perm Sec - News |publisher=Dailyindependentnig.com |accessdate=2014-06-20 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215165740/http://dailyindependentnig.com/2012/07/knocks-trail-patience-jonathans-appointment-as-perm-sec/ |archivedate=15 December 2013}}</ref> and some critics argued it was a national embarrassment<ref>[http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/politics/44530-dickson-patience-jonathan-and-a-controversial-appointment-] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822115433/http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/politics/44530-dickson-patience-jonathan-and-a-controversial-appointment-|date=22 August 2012}}</ref> highlighting there was no merit or evidence of any recent performance to warrant a promotion to the peak of the civil service. It is alleged that [[Henry Dickson|Henry Seriake Dickson]] was sponsored to his governorship position by her husband.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://saharareporters.com/news-page/jonathans-handpicked-candidate-seriake-dickson-declared-winner-bayelsa-gubernatorial-poll |title=Jonathan's Handpicked Candidate Seriake Dickson Declared Winner of Bayelsa Gubernatorial Poll |date=12 February 2012 |publisher=Sahara Reporters |accessdate=2014-06-20}}</ref> First Lady of Nigeria (2010 - 2015).
Jonathan started her career as a teacher at the [[Stella Maris College, Port Harcourt]] and at the Sports Institute, Isaka. She then moved to the banking sector in 1997 where she served as the marketing manager of Imiete Community Bank. After which she established the first community bank in Port Harcourt called the Akpo Community Bank. She then returned to the classroom briefly again as a teacher. Eventually she was transferred to the [[Bayelsa State]] Ministry of Education, where she served until 29 May 1999, when her husband became the deputy governor of the state. On 12 July 2012, she was appointed as permanent secretary in Bayelsa state by [[Henry Seriake Dickson]]. The appointment was unique considering she had been on leave from the civil service for over 13 years, since her husband became deputy governor in 1999,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.punchng.com/news/bayelsa-outrage-over-patience-jonathans-appointment-as-permanent-secretary/ |title=Bayelsa: Outrage over Patience Jonathan's appointment as Permanent Secretary |publisher=Punchng.com |date=2012-07-12 |accessdate=2014-06-20 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215175114/http://www.punchng.com/news/bayelsa-outrage-over-patience-jonathans-appointment-as-permanent-secretary/ |archivedate=15 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://dailyindependentnig.com/2012/07/knocks-trail-patience-jonathans-appointment-as-perm-sec/ |title=Knocks trail Patience Jonathan's appointment as Perm Sec - News |publisher=Dailyindependentnig.com |accessdate=2014-06-20 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215165740/http://dailyindependentnig.com/2012/07/knocks-trail-patience-jonathans-appointment-as-perm-sec/ |archivedate=15 December 2013}}</ref> and some critics argued it was a national embarrassment<ref>[http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/politics/44530-dickson-patience-jonathan-and-a-controversial-appointment-] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822115433/http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/politics/44530-dickson-patience-jonathan-and-a-controversial-appointment-|date=22 August 2012}}</ref> highlighting there was no merit or evidence of any recent performance to warrant a promotion to the peak of the civil service. It is alleged that [[Henry Seriake Dickson]] was sponsored to his governorship position by her husband.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://saharareporters.com/news-page/jonathans-handpicked-candidate-seriake-dickson-declared-winner-bayelsa-gubernatorial-poll |title=Jonathan's Handpicked Candidate Seriake Dickson Declared Winner of Bayelsa Gubernatorial Poll |date=12 February 2012 |publisher=Sahara Reporters |accessdate=2014-06-20}}</ref>


She and her husband have two children - Arewera Adolphus Jonathan (a boy) and Aruabi Jonathan (a girl).<ref name="buzznigeria.com"/>
She and her husband have two children - Arewera Adolphus Jonathan (a boy) and Aruabi Jonathan (a girl).<ref name="buzznigeria.com"/>


==Philanthropic work==
==Philanthropic work==
Jonathan has been recognized locally, nationally, and internationally for her philanthropic work and political pragmatism. She received the "Beyond The Tears" International Humanitarian Award New York, USA, in 2008,<ref name="Who's Who"/> for her role in the global fight against HIV/AIDS; the African Goodwill Ambassador Award (Los Angeles, USA, 2008) and was the recipient of the "Wind of Change" Award from the South/South Women's Organization.
Jonathan has been recognized locally, nationally, and internationally for her philanthropic work and political pragmatism. She received the "Beyond The Tears" International Humanitarian Award New York, USA, in 2008,<ref name="Who's Who"/> for her role in the global fight against HIV/AIDS; the African Goodwill Ambassador Award (Los Angeles, USA, 2008) and was the recipient of the "Wind of Change" Award from the South/South Women's Organization.{{cn|date=March 2024}}


When Goodluck Jonathan served as a governor between 2005 and 2007, Patience Jonathan served the state in the capacity of the first Lady of [[Bayelsa State]]. During this period, she founded many philanthropic and women empowerment programs, among them are the A-Aruere Reachout Foundation (AARF),<ref name=Reachout>{{cite web|url=http://aaruerareachoutfoundation.org/|title=A.Aaruera Reachout Foundation|publisher=A.Aaruera Reachout Foundation|accessdate=2012-01-28|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114030339/http://aaruerareachoutfoundation.org/|archivedate=14 January 2012}}</ref> which she set up to improve the status and earning capacity of Nigerian women and youths. The foundation already has its focus on supporting and assisting children with heart-related problems.
When Goodluck Jonathan served as a Governor between 2005 and 2007, Patience Jonathan served the state in the capacity of the First Lady of [[Bayelsa State]], Nigeria. During this period, she founded many philanthropic and women empowerment programs, among them are the A-Aruere Reachout Foundation (AARF),<ref name=Reachout>{{cite web|url=http://aaruerareachoutfoundation.org/|title=A.Aaruera Reachout Foundation|publisher=A.Aaruera Reachout Foundation|accessdate=2012-01-28|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114030339/http://aaruerareachoutfoundation.org/|archivedate=14 January 2012}}</ref> which she set up to improve the status and earning capacity of Nigerian women and youths. The foundation already has its focus on supporting and assisting children with heart-related problems.


==Other==
==Other==
[[File:Patience Jonathan.jpg|thumb|Jonathan in 2012.]]
[[File:Patience Jonathan.jpg|thumb|Jonathan in 2012.]]
It was announced 4 September 2012 that she was hospitalized in [[Germany]] following a severe bout of [[Foodborne illness|food poisoning]] that lasted for days. Patience fell sick about 10 days earlier, following her hosting of a summit of first ladies from across [[Africa]].
It was announced 4 September 2012 that she was hospitalized in [[Germany]] following a severe bout of [[Foodborne illness|food poisoning]] that lasted for days. Patience Jonathan felt sick about 10 days earlier, following her hosting of a summit of first ladies from across [[Africa]].
Patience was discharged from the Horst Schmidt Klinik in [[Wiesbaden]] on 2 October 2012.<ref>{{Citation
Patience was discharged from the Horst Schmidt Klinik in [[Wiesbaden]] on 2 October 2012.<ref>{{Citation
| url = http://allafrica.com/stories/201210040116.html
| url = http://allafrica.com/stories/201210040116.html
Line 62: Line 62:
| publication-place = [[Africa]]
| publication-place = [[Africa]]
| accessdate = 18 October 2012
| accessdate = 18 October 2012
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=ADIGUN and GAMBRELL|first=BASHIR and JON|title=OFFICIAL: NIGERIA FIRST LADY HOSPITALIZED ABROAD|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/official-nigeria-first-lady-hospitalized-abroad#overlay-context=article/un-says-100000-refugees-fled-syria-august|agency=Associated Press|accessdate=4 September 2012}}</ref> When the national media noticed her unusual disappearance from public view, the approach of her office was to initially deflect attention by denying she was in Germany to utilize the high-quality healthcare provision of the country. Her spokesman, Ayo Osinlu, released a statement stating that she had only gone to Germany "to take time off to rest" and not for medical purposes. This was to avoid highlighting the presidential family were avoiding using the [[Health care in Nigeria#Criticism|low-quality healthcare system]] provided for the Nigerian citizens and prefer higher quality foreign provisions for themselves at [[Taxpayer|taxpayers]] expense when needed.<ref>{{cite web |last=Admin |first=Web |url=http://www.africanspotlight.com/2012/09/03/patience-jonathan-is-not-hospitalized-shes-just-resting-abroad-spokesman/ |title=Patience Jonathan Is Not Hospitalized, She's Just Resting Abroad – Spokesman |publisher=African Spotlight |accessdate=2014-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215170110/http://www.africanspotlight.com/2012/09/03/patience-jonathan-is-not-hospitalized-shes-just-resting-abroad-spokesman/ |archive-date=15 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=ADIGUN and GAMBRELL|first=BASHIR and JON|title=OFFICIAL: NIGERIA FIRST LADY HOSPITALIZED ABROAD|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/official-nigeria-first-lady-hospitalized-abroad#overlay-context=article/un-says-100000-refugees-fled-syria-august|agency=Associated Press|accessdate=4 September 2012}}</ref>


When the national media noticed her unusual disappearance from public view, the approach of her office was to initially deflect attention by denying she was in Germany to utilize the high-quality healthcare provision of the country. Her spokesman, Ayo Osinlu, released a statement stating that she had only gone to Germany "to take time off to rest" and not for medical purposes. This was to avoid highlighting the presidential family were avoiding using the [[Health care in Nigeria#Criticism|low-quality healthcare system]] provided for the Nigerian citizens and prefer higher quality foreign provisions for themselves at [[Taxpayer|taxpayers]] expense when needed.<ref>{{cite web |last=Admin |first=Web |url=http://www.africanspotlight.com/2012/09/03/patience-jonathan-is-not-hospitalized-shes-just-resting-abroad-spokesman/ |title=Patience Jonathan Is Not Hospitalized, She's Just Resting Abroad – Spokesman |publisher=African Spotlight |accessdate=2014-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215170110/http://www.africanspotlight.com/2012/09/03/patience-jonathan-is-not-hospitalized-shes-just-resting-abroad-spokesman/ |archive-date=15 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
The emotional Nigerian First lady, Patience Jonathan broke down in tears on hearing the latest news on the abduction of the girls of the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok. Patience Jonathan was involved in controversy during the crisis over [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|230 Chibok girls]] abducted by Boko Haram in north-east Nigeria. After a meeting she convened in May 2014 with representatives of the Chibok community, whose children had been abducted, there were reports that one of the leaders - Naomi Mutah - had been detained by police. It was alleged that Mrs. Jonathan had reportedly felt slighted that the mothers of the abducted girls had sent Ms. Mutah to the meeting. Immediately after the meeting, Ms. Mutah was taken to a police station and held. Pogo Bitrus, another Chibok community leader, described the detention as 'unfortunate' and 'insensitive', and said he hoped Mrs. Jonathan would soon 'realize her mistake'. Mrs. Jonathan has no constitutional power to order arrests. BBC News reported another community leader, Saratu Angus Ndirpaya, as saying that Mrs. Jonathan accused the activists of fabricating the abductions to give the government a bad name. It reported that she also said the First Lady accused them of supporting Boko Haram.<ref name=BBCNews>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-27283278 |title=BBCNews reports Nigeria schoolgirl abductions, protest leader detained |work=BBC News |date=5 May 2014 |accessdate=2014-05-05}}</ref> Presently there seems to be people upholding her views on this issue as new situation is putting this scenario as contentious.<ref name="Punch Newspaper NG">{{cite web|url=http://punchng.com/chibok-girls-saga-scam-christian-women | title=PunchNg report Chibok girls saga is a scam – Christian Women | date=10 September 2016 | publisher =Punch Newspaper Nigeria|accessdate=2016-09-10}}</ref>

Patience Jonathan broke down in tears on hearing the latest news on the abduction of the girls of the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok. She was involved in controversy during the crisis over [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|230 Chibok girls]] abducted by Boko Haram in north-east Nigeria.<ref name=BBCNews>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-27283278 |title=BBCNews reports Nigeria schoolgirl abductions, protest leader detained |work=BBC News |date=5 May 2014 |accessdate=5 May 2014}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 81: Line 83:
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jonathan, Patience}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jonathan, Patience}}
[[Category:First Ladies of Nigeria]]
[[Category:First ladies of Nigeria]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Old GRA, Port Harcourt]]
[[Category:People from Port Harcourt]]
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:HIV/AIDS activists]]
[[Category:Nigerian HIV/AIDS activists]]
[[Category:Nigerian women in politics]]
[[Category:Nigerian women in politics]]
[[Category:Politicians from Port Harcourt]]
[[Category:Politicians from Port Harcourt]]
Line 92: Line 94:
[[Category:University of Port Harcourt alumni]]
[[Category:University of Port Harcourt alumni]]
[[Category:People from Rivers State]]
[[Category:People from Rivers State]]
[[Category:Spouses of national leaders]]
[[Category:First ladies of Bayelsa State]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian women]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian people]]

Latest revision as of 09:33, 22 November 2024

Patience Jonathan
First Lady of Nigeria
In role
6 May 2010 – 29 May 2015
PresidentGoodluck Jonathan
Preceded byTurai Yar'Adua
Succeeded byAisha Buhari
Second Lady of Nigeria
In role
29 May 2007 – 6 May 2010
Vice PresidentGoodluck Jonathan
First LadyTurai Yar'Adua
Preceded byAmina Atiku-Abubakar
Succeeded byAmina Sambo
Personal details
Born
Patience Faka Iwari

(1957-10-25) 25 October 1957 (age 67)
Port Harcourt, Eastern Region, British Nigeria (now in Rivers State, Nigeria)
SpouseGoodluck Jonathan
Children2
ResidenceOld GRA, Port Harcourt[1][2]
Alma materUniversity of Port Harcourt

Patience Faka Jonathan (née Iwari;[3] born 25 October 1957) is a Nigerian civil servant who served as the First Lady of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015 and second lady of Nigeria from 2007 to 2010. She is the wife of former President and Vice President of Nigeria Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. She served as a Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State.[4]

Education

[edit]

Patience Faka Iwari was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, where she earned her school certificate in 1976, and passed the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) in 1980. In 1989, she obtained the National Certificate of Education (NCE) in Mathematics and Biology from the Rivers State College of Arts and Science, Port Harcourt. She then proceeded to the University of Port Harcourt and studied for a BEd in Biology and Psychology. She was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Port Harcourt.[5][6]

Career

[edit]

Jonathan started her career as a teacher at the Stella Maris College, Port Harcourt and at the Sports Institute, Isaka. She then moved to the banking sector in 1997 where she served as the marketing manager of Imiete Community Bank. After which she established the first community bank in Port Harcourt called the Akpo Community Bank. She then returned to the classroom briefly again as a teacher. Eventually she was transferred to the Bayelsa State Ministry of Education, where she served until 29 May 1999, when her husband became the deputy governor of the state. On 12 July 2012, she was appointed as permanent secretary in Bayelsa state by Henry Seriake Dickson. The appointment was unique considering she had been on leave from the civil service for over 13 years, since her husband became deputy governor in 1999,[7][8] and some critics argued it was a national embarrassment[9] highlighting there was no merit or evidence of any recent performance to warrant a promotion to the peak of the civil service. It is alleged that Henry Seriake Dickson was sponsored to his governorship position by her husband.[10]

She and her husband have two children - Arewera Adolphus Jonathan (a boy) and Aruabi Jonathan (a girl).[3]

Philanthropic work

[edit]

Jonathan has been recognized locally, nationally, and internationally for her philanthropic work and political pragmatism. She received the "Beyond The Tears" International Humanitarian Award New York, USA, in 2008,[5] for her role in the global fight against HIV/AIDS; the African Goodwill Ambassador Award (Los Angeles, USA, 2008) and was the recipient of the "Wind of Change" Award from the South/South Women's Organization.[citation needed]

When Goodluck Jonathan served as a Governor between 2005 and 2007, Patience Jonathan served the state in the capacity of the First Lady of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. During this period, she founded many philanthropic and women empowerment programs, among them are the A-Aruere Reachout Foundation (AARF),[11] which she set up to improve the status and earning capacity of Nigerian women and youths. The foundation already has its focus on supporting and assisting children with heart-related problems.

Other

[edit]
Jonathan in 2012.

It was announced 4 September 2012 that she was hospitalized in Germany following a severe bout of food poisoning that lasted for days. Patience Jonathan felt sick about 10 days earlier, following her hosting of a summit of first ladies from across Africa. Patience was discharged from the Horst Schmidt Klinik in Wiesbaden on 2 October 2012.[12][13]

When the national media noticed her unusual disappearance from public view, the approach of her office was to initially deflect attention by denying she was in Germany to utilize the high-quality healthcare provision of the country. Her spokesman, Ayo Osinlu, released a statement stating that she had only gone to Germany "to take time off to rest" and not for medical purposes. This was to avoid highlighting the presidential family were avoiding using the low-quality healthcare system provided for the Nigerian citizens and prefer higher quality foreign provisions for themselves at taxpayers expense when needed.[14]

Patience Jonathan broke down in tears on hearing the latest news on the abduction of the girls of the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok. She was involved in controversy during the crisis over 230 Chibok girls abducted by Boko Haram in north-east Nigeria.[15]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "First Lady, Patience Jonathan Ends Visit To Rivers". Nationalnetworkonline.com. Port Harcourt, Nigeria: Network Printing and Publishing Company. 2 July 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  2. ^ Onoyume, Jimitota (31 October 2013). "Burial of First Lady's mother: Police beef up security in Port Harcourt". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Patience Jonathan Biography, Children, Funniest Quotes You've Never Heard". BuzzNigeria. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  4. ^ "Lady of a Nation", Nigeria Stepping Ahead, Toronto, June 2010.
  5. ^ a b "Profile: Patience Jonathan". Africa Confidential. 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  6. ^ "Dame Patience Jonathan, the Perm. Sec - Vanguard News". Vanguardngr.com. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  7. ^ "Bayelsa: Outrage over Patience Jonathan's appointment as Permanent Secretary". Punchng.com. 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  8. ^ "Knocks trail Patience Jonathan's appointment as Perm Sec - News". Dailyindependentnig.com. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ^ [1] Archived 22 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "Jonathan's Handpicked Candidate Seriake Dickson Declared Winner of Bayelsa Gubernatorial Poll". Sahara Reporters. 12 February 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  11. ^ "A.Aaruera Reachout Foundation". A.Aaruera Reachout Foundation. Archived from the original on 14 January 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  12. ^ Nigeria: Patience Jonathan Leaves German Hospital, Checks into Hotel, Africa: Allafrica.com, 2012, retrieved 18 October 2012
  13. ^ ADIGUN and GAMBRELL, BASHIR and JON. "OFFICIAL: NIGERIA FIRST LADY HOSPITALIZED ABROAD". Associated Press. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  14. ^ Admin, Web. "Patience Jonathan Is Not Hospitalized, She's Just Resting Abroad – Spokesman". African Spotlight. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  15. ^ "BBCNews reports Nigeria schoolgirl abductions, protest leader detained". BBC News. 5 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
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Honorary titles
Preceded by First Lady of Nigeria Succeeded by
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