The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Aisha Muhammadu Buhari

  • First Lady makes case for children’s breastfeeding

    First Lady, Dr. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, has insisted that breast feeding is the right of every new-born child.

    According to her, the government of Nigeria recommends that initiation of breast feeding should begin immediately after childbirth.

    She spoke during the launch of the Zero water campaign as part of activities marking the 2019 World Breastfeeding Week at the International Conference Centre Abuja.

    The First lady, in a statement by her S. A Media, Adebisi Olumide -Ajayi, noted that refusal to breastfeed comes with a huge economic cost, vulnerability to illness and eventual death of our children, whilst the benefits of breastfeeding are enormous.

    The First Lady, who was represented by the wife of the former governor of Nasararwa state, Dr. Mairo Al Makura, further said she hoped the launch would change the narrative for nutrition in the country.

    She said the zero launch was meant to encourage women to breastfeed within one hour of giving birth and not introducing the baby to water until 6 months.

    Read Also: What you probably didn’t know about Aisha Buhari

    UNICEF deputy representative Pernille Ironside said she has been breastfeeding her child for the past eighteen months.

    She informed the dignitaries present that Breastfeeding is a unique right of every newborn and gives him or her the best start in life as well as laying the foundation for survival and ultimate good health and development.

    She noted that in a country where 1 in 8 children do not reach their fifth birthday and 1 in 10 children are stunted, optimal breastfeeding practices are known to reduce neonatal and child mortality, morbidity such as respiratory infections, diarrhoea, as well as non- communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes also decreased if a child is exclusively breast fed.

    Ms Ironside said an important barrier to optimal exclusive breastfeeding practice is the lack of family friendly policies that support maternity and paternity leave for parents of new-born children

    “Available statistics in Nigeria reveal that the rates for exclusive breastfeeding have improved from 17% in 2013 to 27% in 2018, just as Kaduna and Lagos states have increased maternity leave from 3 to 6 months.”

     

  • Thank you Aisha Buhari on illegal drug cartels

    one person in position going beyond treating symptoms

    How ironic it is that Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, Wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the one person that is in position that is not “in position”!

    However, the beauty of it is that this world has moved away from individualism in leadership: in today’s world, when the spouse of a leader speaks, the world listens.

    A few days ago, Aisha Buhari said something about the Saudi Arabia drug trafficking case that never was. And the lady spoke sense.

    As a background to her comments: immediately after the news on our general elections left center-stage, the next big thing to make headlines was the story of endless killings, and criminality.

    Whilst crimes committed outside our shores continue to be major news; hot on their heels are tales of ‘bandits’ killing scores of innocent Nigerians daily, weekly in our country.

    For news reports of matters outside the country, we have headlines indicating that Nigerians are killing foreigners during their trips abroad (armed robbers who killed forex traders in the UAE).

    Or they are out there killing one another (Nigerians killing Nigerians in South Africa). We also having Nigerians getting capital punishment for serious crimes committed in countries where such is the punishment. Of particular interest (to Aisha Buhari) the widely reported case of a lady pilgrim Zainab Aliyu, who was caught for drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia, and remanded in prison.

    Everyone, Muslim or not knows what the penalty in Saudi is for such a serious crime, and Zainab’s case was going to be no exception. And then came the revelation that there exists a drug cartel currently in operation at our Nigerian international airports. They were discovered to be operating by targeting luggage of intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. For baggage left unattended to, the drug peddlers reportedly plant hard drugs on pilgrim victims, and hope such luggage passes through customs checks.

    How they would then retrieve their booty ,parceled in tagged luggage from their unsuspecting couriers, once in Saudi is the aspect of it that beats me.

    Be that as it may, providence was with Miss Aliyu and she was found to have been a victim. Soon enough the screaming headlines were that she was not only free, but was back here in Nigeria.

    On Monday, accompanied by her parents, Miss Aliyu was at Aso Rock Villa, at the banquet table, to break the days Ramadan fast with the Wife of the President.

    Before getting to the points raised by Aisha Buhari, I want to first look at the contrast in our legal system, in terms of what Dostoevsky refers to as “Crime and Punishment”.

    I was saddened to hear from Miss Aliyu in a report that the alleged drug cartel members were freed on bail, here.

    She said ,“ I feel very bad that the cartel, who masterminded this act to me was granted bail. They have to be punished for what they did to me to serve as deterrent to others.”

    More shocking was the revelation of the father of the victim Mr. Habibu Aliyu that not only was one of the alleged perpetrators granted bail, but he was also granted leave to go himself on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia!

    (Probably to personally alert his comrades at the other end that their deals had gone sour). For a crime that in the same Saudi Arabia would attract capital punishment, here, it is treated like no big deal!

    Is it any wonder then, the high numbers of actual offenders recorded each year? I wonder also, that with all these law reforms and law reform commissions of ours, such crimes remain bailable. Even, with easy conditions!

    Well, in the absence of on officially designated First Lady, the Wife of the President is still speaking out; she is asking all intending air travelers to be mindful and careful, to avoid falling victim. I hear you, Madam (even though I’m never going on a government pilgrimage!).

    More importantly, Aisha Buhari is seeking a departure from our regular style of administration which we may call treat – the – symptom.

    What is needed, is to diagnose the ailment and then treat and cure that, and not leave things at clearing-the-symptoms-stage, each time.

    Bringing Miss Aliyu back is good –it is only treating the symptom; or the manifestation of a malaise. Removing the manifestation does not mean the malaise is no more there.

    Arresting and prosecuting the members of the drug cartel(s) like Mrs. Buhari wants is what will serve as deterrent.

    Or I ask-how many more victims will Nigeria now have to go after and bring back, to the great amusement of the drug cartels?

     

    Reactions to 07055547031 sms/whatsapp.

  • PHOTOS: Buhari, wife perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia

    President Muhammadu Buhari performs Umrah (lesser Hajj) at the Masjid Haram (the Grand Mosque) in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

     

     

  • I didn’t condemn Onnoghen’s suspension, says Aisha Buhari

    The wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday denied issuing any statement condemning the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    According to a statement by Suleiman Haruna, who is her Director of Information, the alleged statement credited to her where she was said to have condemned the suspension of Justice Onnoghen was fake and untrue.

    The statement read, “The attention of wife of the President has been drawn to a post on social media to the effect that she condemned the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

    “It is important to inform Nigerians that wife of the President has not made any public statements on the matter and therefore the commentary is untrue and fake.

    Read Also: Onnoghen: FG carpets PDP for suspending campaign

    “This is highly condemnable and we therefore advise the purveyors of such news to recant and desist henceforth.”

    There has been a report on social media with the title, “Breaking bombshell” alleging that the nation’s first lady has condemned the husband’s action for suspending the CJN.

    The report had been feasted by the social media quoted Mrs. Buhari as saying, “I totally condemn the illegal suspension of Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Walter Onnoghen. That desperate move is not just SHAMEFUL but UNWISE.

    “We have a constitution that is supreme and it must be unsentimentally respected. I implore Nigerians, especially our teeming youths to rise up and defend Nigeria before some very selfish individuals destroy us all.”

  • Aisha Buhari to Nigerian women: Vote Buhari again

    The Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday called on Nigerian women to ensure the return of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in 2019.

    She made the appeal at a National Women Leadership Summit organized by a political group, Project 4+4 for Buhari & Osinbajo 2019, at the National Women Development Center, Abuja.

    Mrs. Buhari, in a statement by her Director of Information, Suleiman Haruna, observed that during the last election, women participated fully in the voting process and ensured that APC was elected.

    According to her, that was why the government of President Muhammadu Buhari came up with social investment programmes targeted at them and their children in order to engage them and reduce the level of poverty among them.

    She called on them to spread the good news of the accomplishments of the current administration.

    She said women have been at the receiving end of the struggles of men, especially soldiers who have been fighting insurgency and called on government to ensure speedy release of their entitlements so that their families do not suffer.

    She called for a one-minute silence in honor of all soldiers that lost their lives in the process.

    She commended the political group for organizing the Summit and setting the tone for other Buhari support groups as 2019 election campaign period opens.

    Wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, speaking at the event, commended women for providing a permanent support base for the APC and said they remain ambassadors of the party wherever they find themselves.

    Read Also: Buhari calls for calm over deadly violence in Cross River

    She called on them to continue to support the party, saying continuation of the party in 2019 means a better Nigeria for them and their children.

    Earlier, National Coordinator of Project 4+4, Comrade Garba Musa Bello, said the purpose of the Summit was to bring together women from 774 local government areas and chart for them a strategy for the campaign period.

    He said it is not in doubt that women control the voting power and as such they must be reckoned with.

    He pointed out that the successes of government are too glaring to ignore, and women, who are witnesses and beneficiaries to these achievements must pronounce them to the world.

    He commended wife of the President and the role she plays in Nigeria’s political space, saying women have confidence in her protection and support.

    National Woman Leader, Salamatu Baiwa, said APC women have secured the concurrence of the party on the issue of a more gender-balanced administration come 2019.

    As campaign commences, she called for a mature campaign from members of the party, a campaign of issues and not that of insults. As a ruling party, she said, they must show example to other parties.

    Goodwill messages and presentations were delivered by an array of women leaders and academics.

  • Aisha Buhari tasks Radiographers on diagnostic computers

    Association seeks review of medical equipment import tax

    The Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday charged Radiographers in the country to periodically update their knowledge on the use of complex diagnostic procedures for the benefit of Nigerians.
    She made the call during the opening ceremony of the 50th annual conference/scientific workshop of the Association of Radiographers of Nigeria, in Abuja.
    According to her, the importance of Radiographers in healthcare delivery especially in diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer cannot be overstated.
    She was represented at the conference themed: “The evolution in Radiography practice and the obligation of the practitioners and the public,” by the wife of the former governor of Katsina State, Mrs. Mercy Shema.
    She said “Radiography practice worldwide and Nigeria in particular have over the years grown from the routine chest and bone x-ray to the more complex diagnostic procedures of Computer Tomography scan, (CT scan), Magnetic Resonance Imaging, (MRI), Ultrasound Scanning, Positron Emission Tomography, (PET) and radiation treatment techniques such as the use of Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy thus, contributing immensely to healthcare delivery both in diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
    “There is no doubt such unprecedented development will require training and retraining of the practitioners if the benefits of these new tools are to be harnessed. Let me at this point therefore call on the practitioners of radiography to periodically update their knowledge on the use of these new tools for the benefit of the public.” she added
    The Radiographers also appealed to the Federal Government to review tax on medical equipment especially import policies on x-ray equipment, accessories and consumables.
    Most of the equipment, they noted, have heavy metals as well as radioactive sources subjected to same screenings as arms and ammunition thereby making the process cumbersome and expensive.

    Read Also: Three arraigned for impersonating Aisha Buhari

    The President of the association, Elizabeth Balogun, called on the Federal Government and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, to match the aggressive program of medical/radiographic equipment acquisition embarked upon especially in the FCT with a commensurate employment and training of the much needed manpower (Radiographers), diagnostic and therapeutic, to complement the delivery of service to teeming patients that have rights to healthcare.
    She also appealed that tax on medical equipment especially import policies on x-ray equipment, accessories and consumables be looked into.
    “These expenses are eventually transferred to the poor masses thereby making the services very expensive,” she stated.
    The grand patron of the Association and Chairman of the occasion, Senator Ike Nwachukwu tasked members to improve in the profession in the way they carry out their professional duties as it  would rub off on the treatment of patients by the medical doctors.

  • Osinbajo, Bindow meet in Aso Rock

    Bindow sneaks out of Villa after meeting 

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday met behind closed doors with Adamawa State Governor  Jibrilla Bindow at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
    After over one hour closed doors meeting, Bindow dodged journalists who were waiting to interview him on the primary elections in his state.
    He was sneaked out from the Vice President’s office through the back door when the meeting ended around 5p.m
    Recalled that the Wife of the President, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, whose brother lost Adamawa APC governorship ticket to Bindow, had on Sunday blamed the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, over what she described as impunity and unfairness in the conduct of the primary elections of the party.
    She had claimed that the party appeared to have granted automatic tickets to some political office aspirants while denying others the opportunity to contest after paying huge amounts of money to purchase nomination forms.

    Read Also: Osinbajo’s new tribe

    Aisha Buhari regretted that despite coming from Labour background, Oshiomhole left the side of the people and presided over the impunity.
    According to series of post on Twitter handle, @aishabuhari, she also dissociated herself from the exercise.
    She urged Nigerians to resist the impunity.
    She tweeted: “It is disheartening to note that some aspirants used their hard earned money to purchase nomination forms, got screened, cleared and campaigned vigorously yet found their names omitted on Election Day, these forms were bought at exorbitant prices.
    “Many others contested and yet had their result delayed. Fully knowing that automatic tickets have been given to other people.
    “All Progressives Congress being a party whose cardinal principle is change and headed by a comrade/ activist whose main concern is for the common man, yet, such impunity could take place under its watch.
    “It is important for the populace to rise against impunity and for voters to demand from aspirants to be committed to the provision of basic amenities such as: Potable drinking water, Basic health care ( Primary Health Care centers).
    “Given this development one will not hesitate than dissociate from such unfairness, be neutral and speak for the voiceless.

  • Aisha Buhari disassociates self from ADC’s arrest

    The Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday distanced herself from the arrest of her Aide De Camp (ADC), Sani Baban-Inna.

    According to her, Baban-Inna’s employers, the Nigeria Police Force, arrested him to investigate the allegations leveled against him.

    In a statement by her Director of Information, Suleiman Haruna, she said that she has never sent any of her staff to collect any favours on her behalf or on behalf of her children and will never do so.

    She also stressed that she will not condone any fraudulent behavior by any of her staff.

    The statement reads “The attention of wife of the President, Dr. Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has been drawn to some media publications and releases purporting illegal detention of her Aide De Camp (ADC) over allegations of fraud.

    “The story as it pertains to her ADC, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Sani Baban-Inna has it that he has been detained on the orders of Her Excellency for dropping her name and defrauding unsuspecting officials and associates.

    Read Also: Aisha Buhari’s ADC in SSS custody over N2.5 billion fraud

    “She wishes to use this opportunity to refute such allegation and to state that she has no hand in his arrest and detention.

    “CSP Sani Baban-Inna has been her ADC since 2016 and has been associated with her ever since. To the utter dismay of Her Excellency, he has used the opportunity to defraud unsuspecting associates and officials as initial investigations have shown.

    “The Nigeria Police Force, his employers arrested him to investigate the allegations leveled against him, this, being within their jurisdiction.

    “She therefore wishes to use this opportunity to inform the general public that she has never sent any of her staff to collect any favours on her behalf or on behalf of her children and will never do so. She is therefore imploring anyone that has been defrauded by Mr. Baban-Inna to get across to him to retrieve whatever he took from them. Mrs. Buhari wishes to reiterate that she will not condone fraudulent behavior by any of her staff.

    “She uses this opportunity to call on all those in positions of authority to rise above intimidation by their aides and deal with such attitudes as extortion by name-dropping, especially within the Presidency. As she always emphasizes, this government was voted into office based on the trust and confidence of the people.” it stated

  • Aisha Buhari to be decorated Doctor of Humanity in South Korea

    The Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, will on Monday 13th August, 2018, be decorated with a Doctorate in Humanity (Honoris Causa) by Sun Moon University, Asan, South Korea.

    The letter conveying the award was recently delivered by Professor Hong Young-Shik at the State House, Abuja.

    A statement by the Director of Information to Wife of the President, Suleiman Haruna reads “I have been directed to notify you, Your Excellency, on the decision of the University to confer on you, a meritorious Doctor of Humanity (Hon. Causa).”

    The letter indicated that recommendations came from various sources, which were verified.

    Read Also: Presidency: PDP aspirants can’t defeat Buhari in 2019

    “Your humanitarian activities have caught the attention of the world and the Senate of the Sun Moon University, especially your outstanding work with women and children through Future Assured Programme” the letter added.

    According to a programme released by the University, Mrs. Buhari would be invested at the International Conference Hall of the University on Monday 13thAugust, 2018.

    Mrs. Buhari would also be invested with a World Leadership Award by Ajou University in Suwon, South Korea for her humanitarian activities on Tuesday, 14th August, 2018.

    She will also commission a Seminar Hall named after her at the same University.

  • Buhari signs anti-graft, other agreements

    Buhari signs anti-graft, other agreements

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday signed instruments of ratification for some bilateral agreements.

    One is to strengthen the government’s anti-corruption battle. Others cover Tax Administration and Intellectual Property Protection.

    Ratified are Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Civil and Commercial Matters, Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons and Extradition Treaty.

    Other instruments of ratification are Charter for the Lake Chad Basin between Nigeria, Cameroun, Central African Republic, Libya, Niger and the Republic of Chad; African Tax Administration Forum Agreement on Mutual Assistance in Tax Matters; World Intellectual Property Organisation Performances and Phonograms Treaty; The World Intellectual Property Organization Treaty on Audio-Visual Performances and Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise.

    The President said: “I am delighted to perform today, the duty of executing Instruments of Ratification of certain Agreements on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, pursuant to the powers conferred on me by Section 5(1) (a) and (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Article 7 of the Vienna Convention on the law of treaties of 1969.

    “Today’s ceremony marks a very important milestone in our demonstration of sovereign capacity to fulfill our international obligations and take important steps for the benefit of our economy, security and the anti-corruption war within and outside Nigeria.

    “The full implementation of the Agreements has, however, been delayed due to the need by both sides to conclude their respective ratification processes.

    “I am happy to note, therefore, that pursuant to a Memorandum presented to the Federal Executive Council by the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Council has approved the ratification of the said Agreements, thus paving the way for today’s ceremony.”

    “With this sovereign act, which has been replicated in the United Arab Emirates by their responsible authorities, we are now in a position to utilise these Agreements fully to foster cooperation between our respective authorities particularly for the purpose of prosecuting the anti-corruption campaign of this Government,” Buhari said.

    The President added: “It is my hope that these Instruments which are signed today will reinvigorate the anti-corruption war and check the illicit flow of funds out of our country to other jurisdictions, improve national security, food security, boost our economic and tax regimes and improve the overall well-being of our creative community.”

    Before the signing of the instructions, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, explained the agreements.

    The Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters “is between Nigeria and United Arab Emirate and it is to create a broad legal platform for cooperation between both countries in the administration of criminal law generally and other matters related to the investigation and prosecution of crimes and sharing of information and experience between authorities of notice countries”.

    “It is our expectation that this agreement will constitute a core component for our anti corruption strategy, given the prominence of the United Arab Emirates as an investment destination for many Nigerians some of whom have unfortunately seen that country as a haven to invest illicitly acquired wealth.”

    On the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Civil and  Commercial Matters, Malami said: “This agreement created a platform for assistance between both countries in civil and commercial matters which will in essence assist to institutionalise support for the Nigerian business community through commercial and civil protection and thus engender massive growth on both sides.”

    “This agreement has a strong potential to promote commerce between both countries by strengthening the legal framework for the settlement of legal dispute and execution of court judgement in civil and commercial matters,” he said

    The Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons “ will grant our country the privilege of bringing back sentences persons of Nigerian origin serving their terms in the United Arab Emirates to serve the same terms in Nigerian prisons and, where applicable, face investigations and prosecution for the crimes, inclusive of financial crimes that are committed in Nigeria before their apprehension in UAE.”

    “The Extradition Treaty will create a legal platform for either country to make requests for the extradition of fugitives from justice found in each other’s territories.

    “Recall, that Mr. President personally led a delegation to the UAE in January 2016 during which the said agreements were signed on the 18th of January 2016.

    “Both counties agreed that there was a need because of the positive relations between them to encourage and boost each others’ commercial transactions in Nigeria and UAE through all legitimate channels,” Malami said.

    “There is however concurrent imperative to discourage and mutually convert illicit financial dealings by criminal elements who are engaged in financial money laundering and other financial crimes.”

    On the charter for the Lake Chad Basin between Nigeria, Cameroun, Central African Republic, Libya, Niger and the Republic of Chad, he said: “This charter is a political, legal instrument for equitable water sharing, common investment and environmental management for the Lake Chad Basin.

    “Our decision to ratify the agreement is in recognition of the need for the responsible management of Lake Chad Basin area, which has historically supported one of the world’s richest eco-system and provided employment for millions of people but is now being ravaged by the effect of climate change.

    “A revitalised Lake Chad Basin will not only boost the security situation in the region but also demonstrate the commitment of the government in  sustainable development goals on the management arrangement of the environment.”

    On African Tax Administration Forum Agreement on Mutual Assistance in Tax Matters, Malami said: “This agreement is designed to contribute to the efficacy of tax administration and improve public accountability. This is consistent with the vision of this government to significantly diversify our revenue resources away from oil by aggressively expanding the taxation rate through various strategies.

    “It will also boost continental cooperation with our sister African countries and thus cultivate sources of tax revenues which were hitherto overlooked for greater mutual assistance in Nigeria and other countries.”

    On World Intellectual Property Organisation Performances and Phonograms Treaty and the Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise, Malami said: “These two treaties will in various dimensions protect the rights of Nigerian performers, actors, singers and others in the visual environment on the one hand and producers of kenetic abstract art and music or sound set in relation to each other on the other hand.

    “The decision to engage in these agreements is a bold step in recognition and importance which the present administration accords to the protection of intellectual property in the Nigerian jurisdiction.

    “It is intended to protect the works of creative industry, including Nollywood, which has been expanding the components of our gross domestic products.

    “Nigerian youths who have ventured into the creative sector can be rest assured that the Federal Government will continue to support their aspirations and protect their source of livelihood through the vigorous protection of their intellectual property rights as these instruments are intended to approve that protection.

    “This ceremony today demonstrates the national resolve of this administration to continue to play our role as a responsible member of the international community.”