Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has tendered apology to her children, immediate family members and all well-meaning Nigerians over the embarrassment they may have suffered over the video about her “attacking” Fatima, daughter of Mamman Daura (Buhari’s older nephew).
The video which went viral was released by Fatima about an incident which occurred in 2017 over a residence at the Villa.
Mrs. Buhari tendered the apology on Wednesday when some wives of governors across the country and others visited the Presidential Villa to welcome her after being away for about two months in the United Kingdom.
In a statement issued by the Director of Information to First Lady, State House, Suleiman Haruna, apart from the apology, the First Lady expressed appreciation to the president for approving a new set of aides to assist her in carrying out her various responsibilities.
Meanwhile, the First Lady has expressed her resolve to construct a regional secretariat for the African First Ladies Peace Mission, AFLPM.
The mission, which was established after the Beijing Conference of 1995, has been in the custody of Nigeria, with leadership rotating among African First Ladies.
She expressed her resolve when speaking during the solidarity visit by First Ladies from the states at the Presidential Villa.
“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,” said Mrs. Buhari.
Speaking 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, Mrs. Buhari said it would come to an end in December 2019.
She used the opportunity to commend the first ladies for the good work they had been doing in their various states, and the successful collaboration they had with Future Assured.
She called on the new first ladies to do the same.
She called on them not to succumb to distractions by social media.
Earlier, First Lady of Borno State, Mrs. Falmata Umara Zulum, representing Northern First Ladies Forum and Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, representing Southern First Ladies Forum spoke during the occasion.
Mrs. 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 had made her a role model even to other African women.
Mrs. Obaseki on her part said they received news of the First Lady’s return with great excitement, praying God to continue to protect her.
She used the opportunity to thank the president for approving additional special assistants for her, saying that was an indication of the regard he had for her work.
The event was attended by wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo; wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Maryam Ahmed Lawan, and wife of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Mrs. Salamatu Gbajabiamila, as well as wives of governors and wives of legislators.
