Every woman’s First Lady
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- Written by Mariya Yarsaje
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The Goodluck Jonathan Presidency already has several uncharacteristic qualities that stand it out on its own in the political history of Nigeria. At the centre of this uncommon character of the Jonathan Presidency is the President himself whose political career and progression has been truly phenomenal to say the least.
His proud parents must be full of glorification to God for blessing their child with the divine good fortune they wished him by naming him Goodluck. His meteoric rise in uninterrupted sequence from deputy governor to Vice President and thence to President of the Federal Republic is a classical testimony to, not just good luck, but good character as well, to be found always eminently suitable for all these command positions of national leadership and to eventually vindicate the trust and confidence of all.Of particular interest to me as a proud Nigerian woman is the relevance of the age-old tribute to womanhood and matrimony, captured in the proverbial reference to the strategic partnership between a successful man and his wife. There is no disputing that a happy home nurtured by a good mother is a fundamental foundation for a blessed family and the peace of mind that strengthens the leadership of the noble father, to forge ahead and succeed in life. For the generality of Nigerians both President Goodluck Jonathan and the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan represent a new generation of Nigerian leaders in their own right which was never previously acknowledged or appreciated until their unforced and providential succession to the Presidency last year.
But it is the First Lady’s graceful rise to the occasion and admirable transformation befitting the challenge and character of the national assignment that deserves to be highlighted and hailed because she has always been a humble wife to her gentleman husband and therefore content with managing the home front. The remarkable thing is the dignified and confident manner in which Dame Patience Jonathan took on the onerous roles and responsibilities of her God-endowed rise to national leadership as distinguished wife of the President of the Federal Republic. It was only natural that in the initial days she would still be preoccupied with glorification of God and prayer for guidance and blessing to see her through her assignment successfully.
She did not succumb to the imperial allure of the Presidency which had a tendency to invoke egotistic pride and flamboyance in some of her predecessors as First Lady, leading them to adopt a queenly attitude in their conduct in office which intimidates their constituency into self-respecting distance. Dame Patience Jonathan displayed simplicity and sociability in combination with a very down-to-earth outlook in her carriage and conduct of official responsibilities that has evidently endeared her to the masses of womenfolk whom she sought after and embraced with motherly encouragement and support wherever she went. Among her committed admirers are the market women of the FCT whom she thrilled no end by creating time to interact with them, understand their plight and urge them to be nationalistic and humane in their commercial transactions. They were also proud to inform her that she was the very first First Lady to make her presence felt in their market
Most significant to me is the impressive energy and commitment which Dame Patience Jonathan has brought to bear in her determination to mobilize Nigerian women to be up and doing in pursuit of a proper place and sound footing in the nations’ nascent democracy through her highly acclaimed Women for Change Initiative. She has traversed the length and breadth of this country galvanizing the womenfolk to be alive to the prevailing opportunity and imperatives for placing the women agenda for national development in the forefront of the democratic process and dispensation. In her very well measured motherly way of speaking, the First Lady inspires and motivates the womenfolk to tighten their wrappers for the new challenges confronting them, especially by her unwavering concern for children and youth as the future leaders and nation builders. She also proudly projects the divine elevation of her blessed husband to the Presidency of Nigeria as a veritable beacon and anchor for national rebirth and clean break from the ills of the past.
For numerous other keen observers and admirers of the First Lady, her bold display of compassion and concern for the common people is often borne out by the unfettered and enthusiastic acts of charity and philanthropy she regularly undertakes. From ailing children and mothers in hospitals to unfortunate victims of heartless terrorists and their weapons of mass destruction to in-house festivities for children of the poor and mass donations of food items and other essential commodities, Dame Patience is indeed a cheerful and compassionate giver. Even recently at the PDP national convention in Abuja where she ably stood by her distinguished husband throughout the long and tense hours of voting, Dame Patience alone had the presence of mind and humane instincts to provide free food for everyone in the Eagles Square-irrespective of affiliation- which would have been very hard to come by in the venue.
So indeed it must be acknowledged that Dame Patience Jonathan is very much part and parcel of the Goodluck Jonathan presidential phenomenon still unfolding. Her performance thus far not only substantiates her unique capacity and strategic role in actualizing the transformational mission of the Goodluck Presidency in Nigeria’s leadership legacy but also gives all our women reason to hold their heads high with pride at the propitious emergence of everywoman’s First Lady in the Presidential Villa.
Yarsaje is a teacher in Yola
Aminiya
Every woman’s First Lady
Category: Comments Written by Mariya Yarsaje Hits: 1000
The Goodluck Jonathan Presidency already has several uncharacteristic qualities that stand it out on its own in the political history of Nigeria. At the centre of this uncommon character of the Jonathan Presidency is the President himself whose political career and progression has been truly phenomenal to say the least.
His proud parents must be full of glorification to God for blessing their child with the divine good fortune they wished him by naming him Goodluck. His meteoric rise in uninterrupted sequence from deputy governor to Vice President and thence to President of the Federal Republic is a classical testimony to, not just good luck, but good character as well, to be found always eminently suitable for all these command positions of national leadership and to eventually vindicate the trust and confidence of all.Of particular interest to me as a proud Nigerian woman is the relevance of the age-old tribute to womanhood and matrimony, captured in the proverbial reference to the strategic partnership between a successful man and his wife. There is no disputing that a happy home nurtured by a good mother is a fundamental foundation for a blessed family and the peace of mind that strengthens the leadership of the noble father, to forge ahead and succeed in life. For the generality of Nigerians both President Goodluck Jonathan and the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan represent a new generation of Nigerian leaders in their own right which was never previously acknowledged or appreciated until their unforced and providential succession to the Presidency last year.
But it is the First Lady’s graceful rise to the occasion and admirable transformation befitting the challenge and character of the national assignment that deserves to be highlighted and hailed because she has always been a humble wife to her gentleman husband and therefore content with managing the home front. The remarkable thing is the dignified and confident manner in which Dame Patience Jonathan took on the onerous roles and responsibilities of her God-endowed rise to national leadership as distinguished wife of the President of the Federal Republic. It was only natural that in the initial days she would still be preoccupied with glorification of God and prayer for guidance and blessing to see her through her assignment successfully.
She did not succumb to the imperial allure of the Presidency which had a tendency to invoke egotistic pride and flamboyance in some of her predecessors as First Lady, leading them to adopt a queenly attitude in their conduct in office which intimidates their constituency into self-respecting distance. Dame Patience Jonathan displayed simplicity and sociability in combination with a very down-to-earth outlook in her carriage and conduct of official responsibilities that has evidently endeared her to the masses of womenfolk whom she sought after and embraced with motherly encouragement and support wherever she went. Among her committed admirers are the market women of the FCT whom she thrilled no end by creating time to interact with them, understand their plight and urge them to be nationalistic and humane in their commercial transactions. They were also proud to inform her that she was the very first First Lady to make her presence felt in their market
Most significant to me is the impressive energy and commitment which Dame Patience Jonathan has brought to bear in her determination to mobilize Nigerian women to be up and doing in pursuit of a proper place and sound footing in the nations’ nascent democracy through her highly acclaimed Women for Change Initiative. She has traversed the length and breadth of this country galvanizing the womenfolk to be alive to the prevailing opportunity and imperatives for placing the women agenda for national development in the forefront of the democratic process and dispensation. In her very well measured motherly way of speaking, the First Lady inspires and motivates the womenfolk to tighten their wrappers for the new challenges confronting them, especially by her unwavering concern for children and youth as the future leaders and nation builders. She also proudly projects the divine elevation of her blessed husband to the Presidency of Nigeria as a veritable beacon and anchor for national rebirth and clean break from the ills of the past.
For numerous other keen observers and admirers of the First Lady, her bold display of compassion and concern for the common people is often borne out by the unfettered and enthusiastic acts of charity and philanthropy she regularly undertakes. From ailing children and mothers in hospitals to unfortunate victims of heartless terrorists and their weapons of mass destruction to in-house festivities for children of the poor and mass donations of food items and other essential commodities, Dame Patience is indeed a cheerful and compassionate giver. Even recently at the PDP national convention in Abuja where she ably stood by her distinguished husband throughout the long and tense hours of voting, Dame Patience alone had the presence of mind and humane instincts to provide free food for everyone in the Eagles Square-irrespective of affiliation- which would have been very hard to come by in the venue.
So indeed it must be acknowledged that Dame Patience Jonathan is very much part and parcel of the Goodluck Jonathan presidential phenomenon still unfolding. Her performance thus far not only substantiates her unique capacity and strategic role in actualizing the transformational mission of the Goodluck Presidency in Nigeria’s leadership legacy but also gives all our women reason to hold their heads high with pride at the propitious emergence of everywoman’s First Lady in the Presidential Villa.
Yarsaje is a teacher in Yola