by Ranti Joseph

President Goodluck Jonathan celebrates his 5th year anniversary of taking over the leadership of Nigeria as substantive president with prayer.

The event took most members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) by surprise as most of them did not remember the date. The Minister of Labour, Chinedu Nebo an ordained minister in the Anglican Communion and the Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda offered Christian and Muslim prayers respectively as requested by the president.

President Jonathan, who was sworn-in on 6th May 2010 by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu following the death of late President Umaru Yar’Adua, came into the council chambers Wednesday morning announcing the news of the swearing-in five years ago as birthday.

After the national anthem and national pledge, Jonathan shocked the Ministers when he said that one of them was marking his birthday asking them that instead of the usual national prayer, two members of council Christian and Muslim should offer prayers for the council member before the meeting would continue with the day’s business.

The Ministers looked at each other in surprise wondering who the celebrant was without any clue then Jonathan reminded them that 6th of May, 2015 marks his 5th year anniversary as substantive President.

All cabinet members clapped joyfully before the Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo said the Christian prayer while the Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda said the Muslim prayer.

“Today, we will not say the national prayer. Somebody is celebrating birthday so we will offer special prayers for him. Two very Godly people will pray, Nebo and Yuguda. Do you know the person?”

When they could not answer, Jonathan said: “On May 6, exactly five years today, I was sworn-in as substantive President.