Delta Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated former President Goodluck Jonathan as he clocks 64 years on Saturday.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, Okowa commended the former Nigerian president for his sterling endeavours in peace and international mediations across Africa.

He said that Jonathan’s meteoric rise in international diplomacy and entrenchment of peace and democracy in the continent had been impactful and resonating.

The governor remarked that the former president’s spectacular role as ECOWAS Peace Envoy in Mali remained outstanding and laudable.

According to him, Jonathan’s exemplary conduct and peaceful disposition aided deep institutionalisation of democracy and improvement of elections, particularly in Nigeria, through his personal sacrifice and leadership-by-example.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate our leader and ebullient statesman, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, as he celebrates his 64th birth anniversary.

“Your Excellency, it gives me pleasure to celebrate you for your laudable role in deepening democracy in our dear country and Africa.

“Your administration will long be remembered as the government that practised rule of law and respected freedom of expression which has long become an 'expensive commodity', if not 'off-the-shelf' in recent times in our polity.

“As our dear former President clocks 64 years today, it is my prayer and that of numerous Nigerians, that God will continue to strengthen you in your commitment to ensuring greater peace, good governance and enduring democracy in Nigeria and Africa,” he said.