NOT Honorary Doctorate, Patience Jonathan Gets a Ph.D!! (Nigeria)
"Prinspa, na only you waka com," "Diaris God oo" and so on were colloquial expressions laughingly attributed to former first lady of Nigeria, Patience Jonathan, wife of President Goodluck Jonathan.
"Peshe", as her admirers calls her, was often derided for her supposed weaker academic prowess in comparison to her husband who holds a Ph.D.
At the height of the widespread comments about her academic and intellectual process, a Nobel Laureate referred to her as "hippopotamus".
Through it all, she was unbowed, unbroken and audaciously bold. She once told her critics that "her husband likes and loves her the way she is". She is never shy to speak out and many admire her for her obvious leadership qualities. Infact, the fact that she was a party woman leader in Rivers can be seen in her in his she carries crowds along when speaking publicly.
It's often reported that she propelled her husband's political career to the highest office in the land by successfully negotiating a deputy gubernatorial slot to her political zone in Rivers State. Her husband was a lecturer at a university in the state and because he is well read, she out down his name to fill the slot.
Her admirers are wint to say she would have filled that slot herself, but first her academic deficit.
Anyways, that's all water under the bridge now. Patience Jonathan not only went back to school during her reign as First Lady for her first and second degrees, now, wait for it, she just bagged a Ph.D in Psychology, Guidance & Counseling from Ignatius Aburu University of Education, Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Saturday, May 31, 2025.
She says she dedicates her graduation to all Nigerian women. "Let nothing stop you. Not age or any obstacle..Even in retirement, you can achieve greater education," she said.
Patience Jonathan, Ph.D!!. Wow! What tenacity!!!
Where are those her mockers??
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