The First Lady of Nigeria, Dame (Dr.) Patience Faka Jonathan has emerged the most influential lady in the entire African continent. And this is authoritative, Top Celebrities Magazine investigations revealed that she is also highly respected and adored by wives of other countries’ presidents in Africa.
We were told that most presidents’ wives in the continent see her as their role model. This we gathered explained why other first ladies from African countries elected her as the President of the Africa First Ladies Peace Mission in 2012.
We gathered that when Dame Patience Jonathan addressed the 3rd executive mission at the Union Building, Pretoria, South Africa on Saturday 18th October, 2014 she got a standing ovation from other African First Ladies, present at the grand occasion, The African First Ladies Peace Mission established to promote peace and harmony in Africa came into being in 1995 after the international conference on Women in Beijing, China. Insiders told us that most First Ladies in Africa call the Nigerian First Lady everyday for one form of advice and help. We were told most of them see her as a fountain of knowledge to learn from.
Those at the corridors of power told us that Dame Patience Jonathan has been the source of strength for a lot of Nigerian women in business, politics, in other professions. They added that because of her support and encouragement, a lot of women have benefitted immensely from her husband’s government and this explains why the President Jonathan government has supported women more than any other government in the history of Nigeria.
As the First Lady of Nigeria, she has been associated with the socio-economic upliftment of the Youths and Women of Nigeria.
This amiable woman is endeared to many people for her philanthropic and charity works. Founder of the A.Aruera Reachout Foundation that has over the last eight years trained over 4000 women in different skills to enable them take care of themselves and their families.
She has been described by many as a role model who has never stopped adding value to people’s lives with her charity works.
Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan displays a mindset and commitment underlying her avowed mission to help the less privileged break from the shackles of poverty, disease and underdevelopment.
She is a friend of the less-privileged and a mother to the orphans who has never stopped supporting the poor through her Soup Kitchen largesse; scholarship awards to children of the less-privileged in the society and medical support and assistance to children with heart conditions.
In attestation to her charitable, political and humane contribution to society, she has received more international and national accolades such as:
A recipient of the International award for Excellence by the Yitzhak Rabin Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel 2008. This is the first of such recognition by this famous centre since its inception
The “Beyond the Tears” International Humanitarian Award New York, USA, 2008 for her role in the global fight against HIV\AIDS.
Pro-Chancellor and Fellow, African Business School (October, 2008)
African Goodwill Ambassador Award (Los Angeles, USA, April, 2009)
The Conferment of traditional Stool of Iyom“Ada di oha mma of Ukpo” by H.R.H Igwe Robert Eze.
The conferment of the traditional title of Unume Wheshi Ekpeye 1 of Ekpeye Kingdom in Rivers State by the Eze Robinson O. Robinson the Ekpeyelogbo.
A traditional Staff of office bestowed on her by the Okpahgwe Amawbia in Anambra State.
Recipient of the Award for Excellence from the Christian Women Fellowship for upholding dignity and positive projection of womanhood in our generation.
Recipient of the Wind of Positive Change Award from the South\South Women Organization.
Recipient of ‘Defender of the Poor’ Award by Society of St Vincent de Paul (Abuja Catholic Archdiocese)
A lover of peace, a mother, Dame Jonathan spends her leisure time swimming, reading, writing and traveling.
Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan was born into a respectable Christian family of Chief Lazarus Iwari-Oba at Port-Harcourt in Rivers State.
With the advantage of primary and secondary education, she obtained the National Certificate of Education (NCE) in Mathematics/ Biology in 1989 from Rivers State College of Education and a Bachelor of Education in Biology and Psychology from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Dame Jonathan’s working experience spanned through Teaching, Banking, Sports Administration and Civil-Service before she became the wife of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state and years later, Bayelsa State Governor’s wife, wife of the Vice President and First Lady of Nigeria.