Goodluck Jonathan

Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, GCFR, BNER, GCON (born 20 November 1957[1]) is the 14th Head of State and current President of Nigeria. Prior to his role as President, he served as 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.[1][2] Jonathan holds a B.S. degree in Zoology in which he attained Second Class Honours. He also holds an M.Sc. degree in Hydrobiology and Fisheries biology, and a Ph.D. degree in Zoology from the University of Port Harcourt. After earning his degree, he worked as an education inspector, lecturer, and environmental-protection officer, until he decided to enter politics in 1998.[3]
Jonathan and his wife, Patience, have two children. He is a Christian and comes from the Ijaw ethnic group.[4]

Presidency

Former President Umaru Yar'Adua died on 5 May 2010. Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as Yar'Adua's successor on the following day,[5] becoming Nigeria's 14th Head of State, to serve until the next election, in 2011, at which time he could elect to run again, which he has done.

Upon taking office, he cited anti-corruption, power and electoral reform as focuses of his administration. He stated that he came to office under "very sad and unusual circumstances".[6]

On 18 May 2010, the National Assembly approved Jonathan's nomination of former Kaduna State governor, Namadi Sambo, an architect, for the position of Vice President.[7][8]

On 29 June 2010, Jonathan launched a Facebook fan-page;[9] The president said that he launched his page in fulfillment of a promise he made earlier in the year to interact more with Nigerians.

On 2 August 2010 Jonathan launched a comprehensive plan, called the 'Roadmap for Power Sector Reform‘,[10] aimed at restructuring the power sector and achieving stable electricity in the country. In his speech, the President identified the factors that affected reliable electricity service delivery to include the absence of a sustained and deliberately deployed long term power development strategy, under exploitation of the nation’s abundant energy endowments and the absence of adequate implementation of reforms.