No first lady captures Nigerians’ imagination like Aisha – Osinbajo

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says Aisha, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, has unwavering commitment towards uplifting the standard of the downtrodden.

He described her as an unusual person who had redefined the role of First Lady with the profound way she captured the imagination of Nigerians.

The Vice President spoke on Thursday in Abuja during the presentation of the book titled “Aisha Buhari: Being different” authored by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Women Affairs, Office of the First Lady, Dr Hajo Sani.

The event was chaired by the National leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu while billionaire entrepreneur, Mrs Folorunso Alakija, was the Special Guest of Honour.

Osinbajo noted that Aisha’s 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.

He said, “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.

Reviewing the book, the VP said, Hajo Sanni’s book seeks to document the practical work she has done in the past five years, but it begins with a detailed and sensitive chronicle of childhood years and her growth as a woman, wife and mother.

“It also highlights her evolution from a silent supporter of her husband’s political adventures to an active mobilizer and campaigner that played a major role in selling him to the Nigerian electorate.

“Then we also read in the book, how as First Lady, she founded the ‘Future Assured’ initiative, promoting the welfare of women, youth and children and driven by the Aisha Buhari Foundation.”