PRESIDENT BUHARI and former President Jonathan at Aso Rock

As former President Goodluck Jonathan celebrate his 60^th birthday,  President Muhammadu Buhari has led the chorus of birthday well-wishers, praising his younger predecessor for his humble beginnings and his rise to the topmost post in Nigeria.

President Buhari in his birthday message warmly felicitated with Jonathan on his 60th birthday, saying “I join members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), professional colleagues, associates of Dr. Jonathan, and his family in celebrating the unique history of the Nigerian leader, who within a short period rose from being a Deputy Governor, Governor, Vice President to becoming Nigeria’s President for six years”,

According to President Buhari “Dr. Jonathan’s foray into politics and ascendency to the highest political office in Nigeria from a humble riverine background testifies to the greatness and inclusiveness of Nigeria’s democracy, and serves as an invitation to all those with interest to add value to the nation.”

Jonathan served as Nigeria’s President from 2010 to 2015. He became the vice-president in from 2007 and took over in 2010 following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua.

Jonathan was previously Governor of Bayelsa State of Bayelsa State from 2005 to 2007.

He lost the presidency to Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

He was born in Bayelsa State to a family of canoe makers and once revealed that as a pupil, he went to school shoeless.

After primary and secondary education, he was admitted to the University of Port Harcourt where he bagged a  B.Sc. degree in Zoology. He later got an   M.Sc. in Hydrobiology and Fisheries biology, and a PhD degree in Zoology from the same university.

Before he entered politics in 1998, he worked as an education inspector, lecturer, and environmental-protection officer.

The Former President is married and has children.