Wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha on Wednesday received the wives of governors and senators who came to pay her courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Nigeria’s First Lady used the opportunity to apologise to her children, immediate family members and Nigerians over the embarrassment that the recent viral online videos had caused.
She also appreciated her husband for approving the appointment of new set of aides to assist her in carrying out her various responsibilities.
The appointments were announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by her Director of Information, Suleiman Haruna.
The appointees are Dr. Mairo Almakura, Special Assistant (African First Ladies Peace Mission); Muhammed Albishir, Special Assistant (Organisation of African First Ladies for Development); and Wole Aboderin, Special Assistant (Non-Governmental Organisations).
Aisha also pledged to construct a regional secretariat for the African First Ladies Peace Mission.
The AFLPM, which was established after the Beijing Conference of 1995, has been in the custody of Nigeria, with leadership rotating among African First Ladies.
“Commenting on the videos circulating on social networks, Buhari extended her apology to her children, her immediate family members and all well-meaning Nigerians over the embarrassment that the videos had caused”, the statement said.
In addition, the First Lady said, “I have successfully secured 2.7 hectares of land in Abuja for this purpose and the foundation laying will soon be conducted in the presence of African First Ladies.”
Hajiya Buhari also spoke on the advocacy project for the improvement of maternal and child health, which is supported by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and implemented by Future Assured Programme in partnership with the states First Ladies, saying it would come to an end in December 2019.
She used the opportunity to commend the First Ladies for the good work they have been doing in their various states, and the successful collaboration they did with Future Assured.
The First Lady called on the new First Ladies to do the same and should not succumb to distractions by social media.
Earlier, First Lady of Borno state, Falmata Umara Zulum, representing Northern First Ladies Forum and Betsy Obaseki, representing Southern First Ladies Forum spoke during the occasion.
Zulum said they were at the Villa to welcome her back after a long absence, and expressed their unalloyed loyalty and support to her initiatives especially through the Future Assured Programme, which she said has made her a role model even to other African women.
On her part, Obaseki said they received news of the First Lady’s return with great excitement, praying God to continue to protect her.
The event was attended by wife of the Vice President, Dolapo Osinbajo; wife of the Senate President, Maryam Ahmed Lawan and wife of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Salamatu Gbajabiamila, as well as wives of governors and legislators.
Others are Aiyu Abdullahi, Special Assistant (Media and Publicity); Zainab Kazeem, Special Assistant (Domestic and Social Events) and Funke Adesiyan, Personal Assistant (Domestic and Social Events).
