DR. DAME PATIENCE JONATHAN, Former First Lady of Nigeria
Most Inspirational Woman of the Year
At the height of her fame as Nigeria’s First Lady, the power and influence of Dr. Mrs. Patience Jonathan knew no bounds. Her word carried the weight of law. Her name opened doors. Believed to be very influential, she moved with swagger, dressed and was dotted like a queen. But even after climbing down from the pinnacle of power on May 29, 2015, Mrs. Jonathan has never been and would probably never be your typical ordinary citizen. Most of the trademarks of high political office, power and influence still follow her.
Yet, she brought herself down to earth, enrolled for a three-year doctorate degree programme, attended classes with students young enough to be her children and submitted herself to the normal stress and pressures of studentship. Earlier this year, Mrs. Jonathan was conferred with a PhD in Psychology, Guidance and Counselling by Ignatius Ajuru University of Education during the institution’s 43rd Postgraduate Convocation Ceremony.
Narrating her experiences after the convocation, the former First Lady recounted her difficult academic journey, frustrating moments, self-doubt and the demands of academic life, particularly the repeated assignments and high expectations from lecturers, which nearly made her abandon the programme. She recalled that at some points, already being a holder of an honorary doctorate degree, she would wonder why she enrolled for another doctorate degree in the first place. “When I went to pick up my PhD form, I thought I would not make it. I said, I have finished my career. I have served as First Lady of Nigeria. What am I going to do with a PhD?” she told the congregation during her testimony in a Church.
Jonathan also spoke about how she was humbled by the effort it took to sit in classrooms with much younger students.
“I would go to class and sit on the bench with my children. I was the ‘Mama’ among them, and I wasn’t ashamed. The teacher would be teaching, I would raise my hand and ask questions because the younger ones would understand immediately, but, as a ‘Mama’, I had to ask questions three times before I understood one thing,” she said.
Jonathan, now 68, described the three-year programme as feeling like “40 years,” and attributed her perseverance to divine support. The former First Lady intended her testimony to serve as a powerful encouragement to others, especially women and youths, so they do not see age or circumstance as a barrier to education.
“There is no age limit in education. If you are a hundred years old, you can make it. If you are ten years old, you can make it. Just be determined, and you will get there,” Jonathan said.
Also speaking at the convocation ceremony, Dr. Jonathan highlighted the transformative power of education, stressing that age should never be a barrier to academic pursuit.
She said,” I feel that no age is too late to achieve your academic dreams, whether you are young or old. If I can do it, you can also do it. I believe that even in retirement, you are not too old to go back to school because education provides the opportunity for one to always refresh his or her brain and learn new things,” she was quoted as saying in a press statement released by her Media Adviser, Chris Okeke. “Let me use this opportunity to encourage Nigerian women and the youth to aspire to become the best of themselves through qualitative education.”
Dr. Jonathan dedicated her academic achievement to Nigerian women, reaffirming her commitment to championing the rights and welfare of vulnerable groups, especially women, children and the youth.
She pledged to intensify her efforts in advocating for their upliftment and to continue promoting dialogue for the betterment of society.
Mrs. Jonathan in Power and out of power has remained an epitome of inspiration for many women – not only in Nigeria-but globally.
As First lady, she was the global Director of CHILD ONLINE PROTECTION appointed by the United Nations Agency -the ITU. Out of power, she went back to school to get her PhD. She has carried herself with grace and nobility.
Born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on October 25,1957, Dr. Mrs. Patience Faka Jonathan (née Iwari) is married to Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former Deputy Governor and Governor of Bayelsa State and former Vice-President and President of Nigeria.
She earned her First School Leaving 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.
Mrs. 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 that, 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 former Governor Henry Seriake Dickson. She was Nigeria’s First Lady from May 6, 2010 to May 29, 2015 when her husband served the President of Nigeria.
Dr. 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, 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.
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 programmes, among them are the A-Aruere Reachout Foundation (AARF), 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.
The nomination of Dr. Mrs. Patience Faka Jonathan as The Top10 Magazine’s Most Inspirational Woman of the Year is in recognition of her inspirational and courageous move to acquire more knowledge to the Ph.D level at her age and other accomplishments in society.
