How Aisha Buhari’s book launch went down in Abuja on Thursday

VP Osinbajo praises Aisha Buhari for being exceptional

The first lady of the federal republic of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari has launched a biography in Abuja

The biography titled Aisha Buhari: Being different’ by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Women Affairs, Office of the First Lady, Dr. Hajo Sani’s launch held at the Banquet Hall, presidential villa, Abuja.

Speaking at the launch, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has described the First Lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari, as an unusual person whose spontaneity has redefined the role of the office.

Osinbajo noted she had taken steps outside the box of what used to be the personage and traditional roles in Nigeria’s presidential history, adding that her unusual approaches had endeared her to the public.

According to him, Mrs. Buhari has regaled the Nigerian public with many firsts, including opening up her office through social media outlets and connecting with the public in real-time.

“It’s unlikely that any First Lady in Nigeria’s history has, in such a few short years, captured the imagination of Nigerians as profoundly as Aisha Buhari.

“She’s, of course, the first First Lady to be on Twitter, on Instagram, and other social media platforms, getting her unfiltered views across to the Nigerian people and she’s probably the first to receive, in real time, the opinions of Nigerians on her views.

“With her views, forthright, crisp, truthful and once in a while controversial, she has established an ongoing conversation with the Nigerian people.

“The issues that concern them most, the issues that concern us the most; good governance, security, putting food on the table, the education of our children, prompt payment of pensions to army veterans, drug abuse, the violation and victimisation of women and every once in a while she airs her own personal struggles, her annoyance, in a manner, probably unprecedented in the role of the First Lady anywhere.

“There is no question that Aisha Buhari is different. Her difference has been empowering for the Nigerian people and there is never any question that her comments come from a good place, a place of genuine love and respect for the Nigerian people and our several concerns.

“But it’s unlikely that Aisha Buhari would ever be forgotten and even if there was a chance of this happening, this well written attempt to document her life and times and her contributions as First Lady to national life, through the causes that she has promoted, removes that possibility,”

The Vice President said the book was a “detailed and sensitive chronicle of her childhood years and her growth as a woman, wife and mother.”

He commended the author, Dr Hajo Sanni, for writing “a most engaging book on an incredibly fascinating person, Her Excellency Aisha Buhari, Nigeria’s First Lady, and seeking “to document the practical work she has done in the past five years.”

Also speaking at the occasion, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu who was the chairman of the occasion described Aisha Buhari as a “voice of conscience” who has played a unifying role in the country.

He said: “Given the First Lady’s achievements, no one can reasonably question the role of a First Lady any longer. Remember there were those who argued that the constitution does not assign an official role to the First Lady. Because of Dr. Mrs. Aisha Buhari, their concerns have been forever laid to rest.

“Mrs. Buhari shows that a First Lady should not stand aloof and detached from what is happening in the country. Mrs. Buhari never shies from what she believes in. This makes her a reliable and true advisor to her beloved husband.

“No doubt that Mr. President’s administration has been enriched because of her active role and the teamwork that exists between husband and wife.” he said.

The launch of the biography was also attended by Bola Shagaya, deputy senate president Ovie Omo-Agege; the former first lady; Patience Jonathan, the Sultan of Sokoto; Sa’ad Abubakar II, and the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

Wife of former vice-president, Amina Sambo, Ekiti state governor; Kayode Fayemi, Plateau state governor; Simon Lalong, Yobe governor, Mai Mala Buni, were also present at the book launch.