It is a day of mixed fortunes for Nigeria’s President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. Just as the leader of the world’s most populous black nation was marking his 55^th birthday, the celebrations were soured by news of the death of his half-brother, Meni Jonathan.

Meni, a titled chief and head of the council of chiefs in President Jonathan’s hometown Otueke, in Bayelsa State, reportedly battled an undisclosed illness and had to be flown to Abuja, the Nigerian capital, “last week Sunday to the Aso Rock Villa medical centre” for better treatment.

The intervention however appeared to have come too late as he died at the Aso Rock Clinic in Abuja today, to the online newspaper, 247ureports.  His age has been put at 45—ten years less than that of President Jonathan, who turned 55 today.

•Photo: President Jonathan.