Here is a beautiful extract from Chapter Six of President Goodluck Jonathan’s authorized biography, Wind Of Hope….the extract reveals how GEJ met his wife, how they started dating and eventually got married…we just had to share this part with you, enjoy!
“As Goodluck Jonathan embarked on a new and challenging career in
politics, he was supported and strengthened by his partnership with his
wife Patience. Her parents were determined that their daughter would
obtain the best education possible. This decision on their part was
responsible for Patience meeting her future husband at the College of
Education. He was in fact one of her lecturers in the Department of
Biological Sciences.
politics, he was supported and strengthened by his partnership with his
wife Patience. Her parents were determined that their daughter would
obtain the best education possible. This decision on their part was
responsible for Patience meeting her future husband at the College of
Education. He was in fact one of her lecturers in the Department of
Biological Sciences.
After concluding his M.Sc. programme, he focused on
his job as a lecturer at the College of Education, Rumuolumeni, while
preparing for his Doctorate. At that time, he taught students reading
for the Nigerian Certificate of Education(NCE) and the B.Ed. Degree.
Many young ladies were among his students. One of them was the
light-skinned young woman from Okrika named Patience Oba.
He found out that her native name Ebifaka, shortened to “Faka”, was
similar to that of his loyal and efficient field assistant, Faka, who
brought him crab specimens from Okrika for his M.Sc. thesis.Although he
had been particularly circumspect in his attitude towards the issue of
developing relationships with students in the past, he began to take
notice of this young lady in his class. Remembering their first
encounters Patience asserts that as her lecturer he first showed an
interest in her because she was conscientious in her academic work.
similar to that of his loyal and efficient field assistant, Faka, who
brought him crab specimens from Okrika for his M.Sc. thesis.Although he
had been particularly circumspect in his attitude towards the issue of
developing relationships with students in the past, he began to take
notice of this young lady in his class. Remembering their first
encounters Patience asserts that as her lecturer he first showed an
interest in her because she was conscientious in her academic work.
It never crossed her mind that it would lead to a serious relationship
even though she noticed his good looks. “My first impression of him was
of a tall, dark, handsome young man. I also found out that he came from a
good Christian home, just like I did. His humble and gentle disposition
caught my attention and most importantly, his intelligence,”she
narrated. He approached her on campus one day while visiting from study
leave for his Doctorate and she responded positively to his suggestion
that they be friends.
even though she noticed his good looks. “My first impression of him was
of a tall, dark, handsome young man. I also found out that he came from a
good Christian home, just like I did. His humble and gentle disposition
caught my attention and most importantly, his intelligence,”she
narrated. He approached her on campus one day while visiting from study
leave for his Doctorate and she responded positively to his suggestion
that they be friends.
Goodluck and Patience embarked on a period of courtship, with both
families giving their firm consent. …. The union between Goodluck and
Patience, including their courtship, has lasted for more than two
decades. They finally formalised the union at the marriage registry in
Yenagoa with his close friend, King A.J. Turner, as witness after
Goodluck had become deputy governor.
families giving their firm consent. …. The union between Goodluck and
Patience, including their courtship, has lasted for more than two
decades. They finally formalised the union at the marriage registry in
Yenagoa with his close friend, King A.J. Turner, as witness after
Goodluck had become deputy governor.
The family has been blessed with children. Dr. Jonathan also took charge
of the education and upbringing of Faith the daughter of the late Engr.
Ukalizibe Sakwe from Yenagoa LGA who had been the Secretary of the
state PDP chapter after her father died in a road accident in 2000.He
treats her as his own daughter along with his three other children who
are; his son Arewera Adolphus,and his two daughters Aruabai, and
Abayola.While his marriage to Patience has weathered both domestic and
political storms she says, “Both of us are from Christian homes, and our
complete trust is in Jesus Christ. We pray together as a family every
morning. What keeps us together is that we are each other’s best friend
and soul-mate.”
of the education and upbringing of Faith the daughter of the late Engr.
Ukalizibe Sakwe from Yenagoa LGA who had been the Secretary of the
state PDP chapter after her father died in a road accident in 2000.He
treats her as his own daughter along with his three other children who
are; his son Arewera Adolphus,and his two daughters Aruabai, and
Abayola.While his marriage to Patience has weathered both domestic and
political storms she says, “Both of us are from Christian homes, and our
complete trust is in Jesus Christ. We pray together as a family every
morning. What keeps us together is that we are each other’s best friend
and soul-mate.”