Buhari abolishes office of the First Lady

•Plans office of wife of president,
but without govt funding
•Mrs. Buhari yet to be assigned any role

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

THE presidency has said that official portfolio was yet to be assigned to Aisha, the wife of president Mohmmadu Buhari, overruling what  hitherto was known as “First Lady’s office”. Apparently renaming it “Office of the Wife of the President”, the presidency however stated that Mrs. Buhari would, for now, be saddled with women and youth related issues in the country.

Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari

The Presidency was reacting to allegations in some Nigerian media that the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari has moved into the First Lady’s office in the Aso Villa.

Describing the allegation as totally false and fictitious, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said that even though there was absolutely nothing wrong with Mrs. Buhari making use of the office space reserved for the First Lady, she had not done so in her capacity.

Shehu stated that under president Buhari, the office shall be completely different from what obtained in the past, saying that the era of the First Ladies issuing oil wells and licenses was gone.

“President Buhari promised that there would be a clear difference between the role played by his wife during his tenure and that played by many previous First Ladies. “All that ostentation, ubiquitousness and arrogance we have come to expect from the office are over and done with.  Change has come.

“The ideal platform from which she will be useful to Nigeria’s women and children is still being thought out.  Once this has been concluded on, Mrs. Buhari’s role will become clearer to all Nigerians. There will be nothing shady or hidden about it. There will be no access to public funds. It will be purely private and voluntary”, he said.

The presidential spokesman recalled that the time Mrs. Buhari had to make use of the office was at the beginning of the present administration.

He added that the meeting during which she hosted the wives of governors was held in a section of the Villa’s banquet hall, not in the First Lady’s office. “Her only visit to that office was at the point of the take-over of the Villa by the incoming administration.

“Out of respect to Mrs. Buhari, the Sierra-Leonian First Lady, Mrs. SiaKoroma recently surrendered her position of head of Africa’s First Ladies to Mrs. Buhari, inviting her to take up the same seat which Mrs. Jonathan hurriedly handed over a few weeks to the handover of her husband’s government to President Buhari. Again, all these things are currently under consideration and no decision has been arrived at presently,” Shehu said.

 

Buhari abolishes office of the First Lady

Patience Jonathan to step down as African First Ladies President

President Goodluck Jonathan’s loss in the March 28 presidential election has started taking its toll on his wife, Patience.

Arrangements had been concluded for her to quit her position as the President of the AFRICAN LADIES Peace Mission, two months before the expiration of her tenure.

The mission comprises of wives of Presidents of all African countries.

Mrs. Jonathan was elected the mission’s President at its seventh summit held in Abuja in July 2012 and her tenure would have expired in July 2015 when a new president would have been elected.

But because she will cease to be Nigeria’s President’s wife from May 29 when her husband will hand over power to the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari , Mrs. Jonathan had summoned an emergency summit of the mission for May 15 for the purpose of electing her successor.

According to a copy of the invitation to members dated April 6 and personally signed by the President’s wife, she explained that she summoned the emergency summit to ensure that there would not be leadership vacuum in the organisation as it happened in 2010 when her predecessor left office without handing over.

She said her desire was to put in place a standard that would strengthen the organisation and ensure effective mechanism to guarantee seamless takeoff for the incoming leadership.

The invitation partly read, “…Your Excellency may recall that Nigeria was re-elected President of the AFLPM at the 7th Summit in Abuja in July 2012. With the recent election in my country and a new government coming on board from May 29, 2015, it has become necessary to convene an emergency summit of the AFLPM to facilitate a smooth and formal hand over to the new Executive Committee that will pilot the affairs of the Peace Mission for the next two years.

“The Emergency Summit is proposed for Friday, May 15, 2015 at the Interim Secretariat of the African First Ladies Peace Mission, Abuja by 2pm. The Summit will, however, be preceded by the 4th meeting of the Executive Bureau by 9am, on May 15 at the same venue. The Bureau Meeting is for members of the Executive Bureau, comprising South Africa, Sudan, Cameroon, Libya and Congo Brazzaville.

“…In the light of the above, may I appeal to Your Excellency to give utmost consideration to attending the Emergency Summit in order to ensure that our organisation maintains its current momentum.

“We will deeply appreciate your kind early response to help us in planning the Summit, in view of limited time available to us.”

When contacted on the telephone, the Special Assistant to the President on Peace Mission, Mrs. Martha Onwuzurumba, was hesitant.

She demanded to know the source of the information from our correspondent.

Mrs. Onwuzurumba who is the wife of the President’s Chaplain, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba, is said to be in charge of the Mission’s secretariat.

She said she would not speak on the matter.

“The African First Ladies Peace Mission is not a Non-Governmental Organisation for Nigeria, so I won’t be able to answer your question,” she said.

The AFLPM, which aims at promoting peace and harmony in Africa, was established in 1995 after the United Nations’ Conference on Women in Beijing, China.

Patience Jonathan to step down as African First Ladies President

My wife does not spend government money – Jonathan

1

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that occupants of the offices of the first lady across the nation “are not spending government money,” even though the platform has become veritable means of mobilising women for national development.

President Goodluck Jonathan

The President’s position was a response to the complaints on social media that the offices constitute unnecessary burden to government, as they have become avenues through which public resources are frittered away.

The President, in an argument tweeted by his Special Assistant on New Media, Reno Omokri, said, “I can tell you that these offices (of first ladies) are helping to mobilise the women.”

He boasted that his administration had made remarkable achievements in women empowerment, with several women getting key political appointments.

“Nigerian women, I don’t believe that you are designed by God to pound yam for me, to be a baby factory,” he said.

The President also did self-evaluation on key areas of governance on Monday as the campaign trains of the two leading presidential contenders moved around the country.

Among the areas he mentioned was education. If re-elected, he said, he would not build prisons for Nigerians but more schools.

Apparently referring to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Major-General Mohammadu Buhari, he said many office seekers had started promising what they had opportunity to do but never did in the past.

“I believe in you, I love you. We will work hard to improve the quality of our lives. A lot of people are coming to deceive you that they will do things they had opportunity to do that they never did. This government has built more tertiary institutions than any other government. We’ve built 14 universities.

“We are creating future leaders. We don’t believe that you must be of a very high age to lead,” Jonathan, who is seeking a second term, said.

He promised to use technology to deal with graft, a national disgrace his administration has been severely accused of, saying several people have used corruption to enrich themselves.

In a response to the Baga attack where scores were killed, the President said he had ordered the National Security Adviser to give a “comprehensive report to Nigerians.”

He continued, “We are encouraging young graduates to go into farming and be the future millionaires and billionaires.”

Jonathan was also quoted by Omokri as saying that the Peoples Democratic Party was the highest shareholder in APC – a party he also described as “a subsidiary of PDP.” He based his judgment on the number of ex-PDP members “in charge” of the opposition party.

Meanwhile, the Buhari social media teams on Monday also gave minute-by-minute account of the APC’s activities in Imo and other parts of the country.

The retired general told Nigerians, “Get your Permanent Voters Cards. Make sure you vote; make sure you defend your vote. Make sure that your voice is heard.”

The Buhari Presidential Campaign coordinator and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, said Jonathan should not expect votes from Imo indigenes because he did not do anything for them. He challenged the President to tell the Igbos what he had done for them.

Also on twitter, the APC Chairman, John Oyegun, wondered why the people should not be tired of the lies they had endured in the past 16 years. If nothing else, he said, they should be “tired of epileptic electricity.”

A former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir el-Rufai, lambasted the Jonathan administration for the Baga attack. He said it was shameful the government could not discuss its occurrence even though it debated the number of casualties.

Amid the intense political horse trading, news of confirmation by the United States Army College that Buhari, indeed, graduated from the school went viral on social media.

The confirmation letter that was purportedly issued by Carrol Kerr of the Public Affairs Office of the institution said Buhari graduated with a diploma in 1980.

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My wife does not spend government money – Jonathan

First Lady calls for support for Nigerian Army against Boko Haram

The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has called for support for the Nigerian Army in its fight against Boko Haram insurgents.

Patience Jonathan now MAMA PEACE

Mrs Jonathan spoke yesterday in Abuja when she hosted children during the Children’s Day celebration at the State House.

She also appealed to the members of Boko Haram to release the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

Mrs Jonathan said: “This is the time for us Nigerians to put our differences aside and, with unity of purpose, fight terrorism.

“We should encourage our soldiers who are in the frontline to rescue our beloved daughters. Our men are defending you and me. We should pray for them and encourage them.

“Some of them have died  in serving their fatherland. Why can’t we join them in prayers at this period?”

The First Lady noted that it was bad to speak ill of the leaders of the country and the service men.

“God has commanded us to pray for them. Therefore, it is our responsibility,  as citizens, to pray, especially for the development of the nation,’’ Mrs Jonathan said.

She urged the children to pray for the release of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls because it was their right to be educated.

The First Lady urged the children to be ambassadors of peace and pledged her continued commitment to ensure that peace reigned in the country.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina, said the celebration was devoid of fanfare because the First Lady was sensitive to the situation in the country.

The minister urged the children to pray for the abducted girls, whom  she called “their sisters”, for God to touch the hearts of the abductors to release them.

Also, the Special Assistant to the President on Youth Matters, Mr Jude Imagwe, said President Goodluck Jonathan, was committed to the welfare , education and protection of the youth.

The presidential aide urged pupils to go to school and be educated to become better citizens and contribute to the development of the country.

The highpoint of the event was a session by members of the Children’s Parliament on the security situation in the country with special focus on the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

The   parliament said the demand by the insurgents for the exchange of the abducted girls for their  members in government’s custody was unacceptable.

Also, the members presented the First Lady with a banner, with the inscription: “Boko Haram Release Our Sisters”.

First Lady calls for support for Nigerian Army against Boko Haram

First Lady denies ordering the arrest of protest leader

• Protest leader impersonated to be someone else at the First Lady meeting


• Naomi claimed to be one of the mothers of the abducted girls

By Ehi Ekhator

Patience Jonathan allegedly ordered the arrest  of Naomi, the leader of a group known as Bring Back our Girls.

Patience Jonathan now MAMA PEACE

Naomi had last week led a bout 500 women to protest before the National Assembly over the abduction of the 234 students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

According to the information gathered, she was arrested for impersonation during the meeting conveyed by the First Lady at the conference room, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Namomi, who is a Deputy Director at the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Abuja, allegely wrote her name as Grace, who was one of the expected invitees, instead of her real name.

It was reported that instead of Naomi writing her real name at the entrance of the conference, she wrote Grace, which is one of the names of those expected to attend the meeting from Borno State.

Patience Jonathan also revealed that Naomi lied to be one of the parents whose daughter was abducted at the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok.

She said: “When they said they have come to lay complain to the government and the National Assembly, I asked for the leader of the mothers whose children were abducted, this woman was the one that came forward and said that her child was abducted. I believed her and I asked the Women Affairs Minister to follow her to the National Assembly.”

“This is the woman who went to National Assembly with the women in black and she claimed that her child was missing and that she is the leader of parents whose children are missing in Chibok. The Senate President believed them, I also believed them too.”

“God is leading us to the truth. Our coming out is not in vain. She called people like Oby to follow her as they also believed her. Oby is innocent and I don’t blame her because even me as First Lady, I was moved too.”

“Today, when I sighted her, I told myself that we will get to the conclusion today because one of those whose child is missing is here. But to my greatest surprise, when we asked her, she said she is a representative of one of the groups calling for the release of the girls. She wrote down her name as Grace. A whole civil servant impersonating, she should be arrested for impersonation.”

Directing the Commissioner of Police at the meeting to take action on the matter, she said: “You have to take this woman to IGP and the President.”

When asked at the meeting, Naomi confessed that she was asked to represent one of those expected to attend the meeting, adding that she had no child among the abducted girls.

She said: “It was in the morning that somebody called me from Borno State, one Mrs. Grace. She said that she was supposed to come. But that since we are here as Chibok representatives, that we should represent her here.”

She also said she has not been to Chibok for the past one year when she was asked if she has. The Minister of Women Affairs, Zainab Maina, at that time, revealed that the woman had last week claimed to be a mother of one of the abducted girls.

Responding to the speculation and accusation, the First Lady, Dam Patience Jonathan on Monday denied ordering the arrest of the leader of the protesters that went to the national Assembly, Naomi Murlah.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Media Assistant of the First Lady, Ayo Adewumi.

According to the statement “Our attention has been drawn to media reports that the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, ordered the arrest of a woman who attended the women stakeholders’ meeting discussing ways and best strategies to ensure the release of the abducted children of Government Girls secondary School, Chibok.

“We wish to state without any iota of equivocation that the First Lady did not order the arrest of any woman or any one for that matter before, during and after the meeting.

“It is instructive to note that the meeting ended after 3am on Monday morning and all those invited to the meeting including a handful of journalists who stayed throughout the lengthy meeting left the Presidential Villa thereafter.

“The Naomi Murlah mentioned in one of the reports came to the meeting as part of Borno delegation. The women were alarmed when someone who knew her told the meeting that she was impersonating one of the mothers of the allegedly abducted children on the basis for which she attended the meeting.”

“The women expressed their disappointment when she confirmed that she is not a biological mother to any of the abducted children.”

“Naomi left the State House with other members of the delegation. If she was arrested as claimed, then enquiries about her arrest should therefore be directed to the security agencies. It is an unfounded rumour which the First Lady knows nothing about.”

First Lady denies ordering the arrest of protest leader

Nyanya bomb: Act of unwarranted wickedness - Patience Jonathan

The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, on Monday said the Nyanya blast that claimed 71 lives in Abuja was an unwarranted act of wickedness to fellow Nigerians.

This is contained in a statement signed by the First lady’s Media Assistant, Mr Ayo Adewuyi, and made available to newsmen in Abuja.

According to the statement, Jonathan says the killing of innocent souls is a crime against humanity and must be condemned by all Nigerians. ‎

The statement said the first lady also commiserated with the families of those who lost their loved ones and prayed God to continue to console them.

“I share the pains of the families of the victims, and pray that God should assuage the pains of the survivors and grant them quick recovery. ‎

“I pray also for the repose of the souls of victims and beseech the Lord to grant them eternal rest in His perfect peace,’’ the statement said.

It added that Jonathan urged Nigerians to use this period to pray to God to enable the nation to overcome acts of terrorism. (NAN)

Nyanya bomb: Act of unwarranted wickedness - Patience Jonathan

"My life won"t be worth living if my two kids were killed" - Patience Jonathan

Abuja – The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, on Wednesday appealed to Nigerian youths to always put the nation first and embrace peace to foster development in the country.

Patience Jonathan now MAMA PEACE

Mrs. Jonathan said this while receiving various youth leaders who visited the State House in Abuja as part of activities ahead of the National Youth Peace Concert.

The concert is scheduled for Saturday, March 8 in Abuja.

The youth leaders, who were led by three personalities, said they were at the Villa to chart a course for the concert.

The three personalities included Mike Omeri, Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), and Onyeka Onwenu, Director-General, National Women Development Centre (NWDC).

The other one is Jude Imagwe, the Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Youth and Student Affairs.

“I invited you here today for two reasons. One of them is to work with you to make Nigeria a better place for us to live in, and the other one is to ensure our states, local government areas, regions and zones are peaceful.

“No one can do it all, we need collective efforts to make Nigeria a better place to live in. Please, put the nation first, because no other country is better than ours,’’ the First Lady said.

She said the concert would be a turnaround for youths as it would enlighten them on peaceful ways to co-habit with their neighbours and thereby shun violence.

Dame Patience Jonathan decried the ongoing killings in Borno, saying the killing of students and other Nigerians was a dastard act as the youths are the nation’s future hope.

“Today, I have two children. If they get killed, life is not worth living for me. Why will anyone therefore want to kill people’s children? No mother will like to suffer in vain.

“Our joy is in the youths. You are the hope of Nigeria, the hope of tomorrow. I don’t want to lose any of you.

“Please, be co-ordinated, and also be good ambassadors at the concert so that the foreigners can take good news back home about us,’’ she said.

While responding individually, Yinka Gbadebo, Usman Ibrahim, Amina Abdulone and Dauda Abduljelil who were among speakers, spoke for the youths and also proffered solutions to the country’s insecurity problems.

“I appeal that your peace initiative should extend to the campuses which are the intellectual community of the nation.

“Also, our campuses in the North should be more secured so that our brothers and sisters can be safe.

“I also appeal that as you have successfully advocated for 35 per cent for women, advocate for 20 per cent for the youths so that we can be involved in governance and drastically reduce unemployment among us,’’ Gbadebo said.

Ibrahim, on his part, said: “I lost a namesake the oldest son of my sister and a friend in the Buni Yadi killings.

“The situation is pathetic. Satanic people are killing our brothers and sisters every day, and we need solutions fast.’’

Also, Abdulone said: “This concert is coming at a very crucial time for the nation. I grew up and schooled in Yobe, but when I went back there two weeks ago, I wept. We need to help the women who bear the brunt of any conflict’’.

On his part, Abduljelil said: “Our lives are at stake. No one understands what’s happening. It’s not about the North East but about Nigeria. The elite have created this monster eating deep into us.

“These were youths who were dedicated to working for this country but someone has polluted their minds and turned them against the system.

“We need to reach out to our brothers and bring them back to the path of peace. I’ll also laud the activities of the civilian JTF who are unarmed and unpaid, and yet risk their lives daily in the quest for peace.’’

 

"My life won"t be worth living if my two kids were killed" - Patience Jonathan