It is said that behind every successful man is a woman. It’s no longer news the important role played by the wife our president during the final campaign that saw a journey of 12 years culminated to a glory. What is important to highlight is her unsung contribution towards the success of her husband’s administration.
Despite the unofficial status accorded to her as the wife of the president, she has been able to coordinate her activities to reach out to the needy and vulnerable, especially women who form the voting strength of our polity. On a personal effort through her NGO (Future Assured) she has trained women in their hundreds on various skill acquisition and basic empowerments.
The foundation laying ceremony of the state-of-the-art health center in Daura by Aisha Buhari is commendable. This has endeared her to the hearts of many including my humble self. The Buhari we know may not even give his Daura home a face-lift, let alone building any mansion in any isolated place. It’s therefore the most sensible and responsible action to provide basic amenities for the neighborhood, where the president will surely return to.
This is the same community that raised the president through childhood and has been supporting his ambition all these years in harmony and peace. This single act among many, her modesty and coordinated attempts to remind the government of pact they made with the masses raises her above board. This is a clear deviation from the lousiness and drama associated to that exalted position especially in the recent sleazy past.
Aisha Buhari has set the ball rolling, let other first ladies, especially at states emulate. They should go back home so that the people would feel the impacts of the mandate given to their husbands.
Naseer Sanni,
Universiti Utara,
Malaysia
