With Patience you get good luck

*How a wife’s doggedness shapes a husband’s view of life

 By Jide Ajani, Editor, Northern Operations

What is the character of a president and commander-in-chief without the backing of a strong wife? Discuss!

That, perhaps, is the best way to attempt to locate and capture the essence of  Goodluck Jonathan, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the  Federal Republic of Nigerian.

The history of the world is replete with stories of  women of courage and character who have been the backbone of leaders. Some of these women have played significant roles in shaping the history of their countries and the lives of their husbands and people – some for good and some for ill.

In ancient times, there was Nefetiti in Egypt, there was also the Queen of Sheba, who later became one of the wives of biblical King Solomon. Contemporary times have witnessed wives of leaders who dared to do.

There is Queen Sophia of Spain; we have heard of Graca Machel, the wife of ex-president of South Africa, Dr. Nelson Mandela; there is also Hillary Clinton, wife of former American President, Bill Clinton; and today we have Michelle Obama, wife of President Barrack Obama of the United States. These women have been known (and are known) to serve as a backbone for their husbands.

Evita Peron of Argentina played a role like no one else, using her position as the country’s First Lady to rally unity and confidence in male and female Argentines.

In today’s Nigeria, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s First Lady, is on a mission and one which has a long history of being the rock behind her husband.

Even on Thursday, May 6, 2010, Jonathan’s maiden speech as President and Commander-in-Chief did not lose sight of the important role Patience has always played in his life. Still in a mourning mood,  Jonathan, while recognising the eminent personalities who had come to Aso Rock Presidential Villa to witness his swearing-in the morning after Umaru Yar’Adua passed on, gave due honour and regard to his wife when he said, “…and, of course, I will not forget my dear wife, Patience…”, to which a ting of humour spiced the mournful mood in the Villa.

Not one to engage in the showy pet projects of past administration’s First Ladies, Dame Patience Jonathan has launched ‘Women for Change Initiative’.  Launched on July 16, 2010, it is Dame Patience Jonathan’s way of challenging the womenfolk to wrought change in our society.  Patience gave a charge to governors’ wives to advise their husbands positively, especially in the appointment of women into elective positions henceforth. 

This was a political weapon of mobilisation for her husband.  While some engaged in a neither-nor mind game of whether  Jonathan would seek the office, Dame Patience marched on mobilising the womenfolk.  Never before has a First Lady demonstrated so much quasi-independence in the pursuit of an agenda, not directly for self, but for her husband.

Patience’s many shuttles between the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, and state capitals were not for nothing: It was her grand plan to lay a ground work on which would be built structures for campaign.

The First Lady submitted that the idea of the project is the total restoration of the dignity of womanhood in the country apart from careful support of women in leadership positions.  She said that the convention on all forms of discrimination against women, to which Nigeria is a signatory, already serves as a blueprint for all to follow, stating that violence, be it religious or ethnic, should be done away with because women are at the receiving end after all. She is right.

According to her, “I am particularly concerned about the education of women, especially the girl-child, so that they can take their rightful position in the scheme of things.”  Mrs. Jonathan told women not to sit on the fence when it comes to taking decisions on violence-related issues but should speak out against such vices for the good of the country, especially when it concerns their immediate family members.

“If some women see their husbands or children stealing, kidnapping, killing innocent souls, they will keep quiet and will not make any effort to stop them,” she said, urging them to improve positively in this direction. ‘’My ultimate goal in all parts of the country is to enlighten women and children to encourage their husbands so that we all live in peace with one another which brings about meaningful development.”

But, beyond this, right from the beginning of the political rise of  Jonathan, his wife has stood solidly behind him.  Even when the president  was a lecturer, the home-front has always enjoyed the benefit of the wisdom of a good wife that Patience has always been.

Dame Patience Jonathan, even before becoming First Lady, had been a crusader of sorts. Partly because of her modesty, most people did not know that she had always been there for the less-privileged because of the way and manner she went about her charity.  She also has a pet project that caters for the needs of small-scale businesswomen, the orphans and other categories of less-privileged people.

And, with good sense and realising the importance of women in a cabinet, Jonathan himself carefully selected five women as members of his cabinet.

These women, like the First Lady, are also contributing their own quota to the success of the administration.

When she started out as a First Lady, some Nigerians noticed a seeming uncommon brashness about her. Still in doubt? Ask Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State when Dame Patience confronted him, charging: “You must not use the word must again; you must not.”

That matter was quickly resolved.

For Patience, a lot of change has come her way. Looking more like a woman of panache, the office has changed the woman.  And, the woman is affecting the office, too.