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Friday, 15 May 2015
Pic: Woman nearly blinded by hubby during vicious attack in Kano
One of Nigeria's trekkers replies Omotola
Wait, what? Beyonce changed her Met Gala dress because of RiRi?
Sources tell Us Magazine,
"While looking on Instagram on her way to the swanky NYC event, Beyonce saw what everyone was wearing and made her driver turn around and go home so she could change into another dress she had on hand, an insider tells Us. She wanted something racier and sexier for the carpet."Rihanna was the last person to walk the red carpet and Beyonce showed up an hour later
MMMG Signs New Act "Ydee", Releases New Single
He premiers his newest body of work titled Pade under this business merger. Pade is produced by Mystro, one of Nigeria's music industry's top producers. The two came together to make magic on this track! Enjoy!
Listen/Download - https://soundcloud.com/ydee-
Follow Ydee on Twitter/Instagram
www.twitter.com/iam_ydee
instagram.com/iam_ydee
For Bookings and Media contact:
Raging Bull Management Company
Ph: +2348175403350
email:ghouse234@gmail.com
For more information and artist profile please check:
www.facebook.com/iam_ydee
Follow Ydee on Twitter/Instagram
www.twitter.com/iam_ydee
instagram.com/iam_ydee
For Bookings and Media contact:
Raging Bull Management Company
Ph: +2348175403350
email:ghouse234@gmail.com
For more information and artist profile please check:
www.facebook.com/iam_ydee
Photos: Actress Ruth Kadiri stuns in all-black emsemble
Yeni Kuti's daughteer, Rolari, set to wed British beau
Rolari is the first grandchild of late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. She's a graduate of University of Leeds UK while Benedict is a graduate of philosophy from Cambridge University, UK. Congrats to them.
Friday, 3 April 2015
Photos: Meet the baby born with no eyes
"It was a shock - we had never heard of it before. But she is our gorgeous baby and we have no regrets about turning down a termination." Danielle said
"We want to give Daisy as normal a life as possible and give her the same opportunities as other children. We had never heard of the condition before and neither had any of our friends or family. People didn't really know what to say when we told them.
"The cyst showed up on the 21-week scan and naturally we were worried about it. But none of the doctors said our baby could be born blind. Everyone has been really supportive and I can't thank the doctors and midwives enough for all of their help."Little Daisy will later this month go for an operation to fit glass eyes. And when she's 18months old, they will be replaced with painted eyes that will look more natural.
Thursday, 2 April 2015
Karrueche Tran stuns in new photos
WED Expo Sponsored My Big Nigerian Wedding Reality Show To Start Airing on Africa Magic Showcase from April 2nd!
The exciting journey led to Yemisi & Yomi Odusanya emerging as winners of My Big Nigerian Wedding Season 1. The couple not only had a luxury wedding but a romantic honeymoon at the world’s most luxurious hotel – Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Now we have all this for you on TV!
WED Expo and Riverside Productions are proud to announce the start of My Big Nigerian Wedding Reality TV Show series. The episodes will begin airing on Africa Magic Showcase from Thursday April 2nd, 2015 at 6pm. The 12 episode showcase will run for 12 weeks on the same station so viewers can tune in every Thursday at 6pm.
The episodes include clips from the Grand Finale at WED Expo where the winners emerged during a live game show, the couple’s prewedding photoshoot, their meetings and interviews with the delectable vendors who made up the Dream Team and much more. You will be glued to your seats with special highlights of their traditional and white weddings as well as their romantic honeymoon. This is one exciting series you don’t want to miss.
Watch trailer below...
All vendors who took part in the wedding will be showcased on different episodes of the show. The show is also already currently airing on Cool TV while the international audience can watch all the episodes online on Irokotv.com
My Big Nigerian Wedding Season 2 is ongoing as we gear up for the grand finale at WED Expo Lagos and Abuja 2015 where the winning couples will be chosen. Two lucky couples will have their dream weddings catered for by only the best wedding vendors.
Do you run a business in the wedding industry? Do you want to be a part of the Dream Team of Nigeria’s most anticipated weddings? My Big Nigerian Wedding offers you the perfect platform to establish your brand as one to reckon with in the industry. Not to forget the immense benefits you get from the publicity on a good number of online, print and electronic media platforms.
If you wish to sponsor a part of this wedding and be on the Dream Team, get in touch with us today on info@mbnwedding.com
Exhibit at WED Expo, your foremost wedding brand for boosting your business!
WED Expo will be taking place in 3 Locations:
WED Expo Lagos – The Haven Event Centre, Ikeja GRA – April 24th to 26th
WED Expo Abuja – M&M Event Center, Garki – May 8th to 10th
WED Expo Port Harcourt – Aztech Arcum, Stadium Road, from May 16th to 17th.
MBNWeding Season 2 Grand Finales will hold at WED Expo Lagos & Abuja
For further enquiries on how to book a booth, please Call 07001111933, SMS or Whatsapp: 08096448289 BBPIN: 7C6B6761 or Email: expo@wedgroup.com.ng
We say a big Thank You to every member of our Dream Team for sponsoring Season 1. We are immensely grateful to all these wedding vendors and their amazing teams for their contribution.
Wednesday, 1 April 2015
Sunday, 29 March 2015
INEC declares presidential election results on Monday
The Independent National Electoral Commission has said that
despite the extension of the Saturday’s elections till Sunday in
some parts of the country, the complete results of the
presidential poll will be declared on Monday.
INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who gave this assurance
on Sunday, however, said as of Sunday evening, results of the
polls had only been completely collated in two states, one of
which was Ekiti.
He maintained that the commission would declare the results
of the presidential election within 48 hours after the conduct
of the polls as it did in 2011.
He said this while addressing journalists in company with
some of the INEC commissioners on the update on the
conduct of the elections so far at the International Conference
Centre, Abuja, venue of the National Collation Centre of the
elections.
He said, “Some people assume that when I said 48 hours, it
starts from the morning the elections commenced. It is 48
hours after elections have ended, like yesterday.
“You start counting 48 hours from yesterday (Saturday), when
substantial majority of the polling units ended elections.”
He expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the Saturday’s
polls, which he said held in a substantial number of polling
units across the country, including the troubled North-East
region, where he said Internally Displaced Persons were able
to vote in three states of Adamawa, Yobe and Borno.
“We are pleased that the elections went on smoothly in a
substantial number of Polling Units across the country,
including the North East where the commission was also able
to conduct voting for Internally Displaced Persons in the three
states of Adamawa, Yobe and Borno,” he said.
He also debunked speculation that the resort to manual
accreditation in some polling units, where the card reader
machines failed, could undermine the credibility of the
election.
According to him, out of more that 150,000 card readers used
for the conduct of the polls on Saturday, only 300 of them
failed, representing only about 0.25 per cent of the total
number of machines.
“It is also gratifying to not that the card readers worked well
in the majority of polling units, even though there were areas
where difficulties experienced necessitated additional
guidelines to allow for manual accreditation of voters, as
announced yesterday (Saturday),” he said.
He said the resort to manual accreditation occurred in some
polling units in nine states which are Osun, Kebbi, Ekiti,
Adamawa, Borno, Jigawa, Anambra, Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi.”
Buhari thrashes Jonathan in Ogun, wins 12 LGs
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress,
Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), defeated the candidate
of the Peoples Democratic Party, President Goodluck
Jonathan, who is seeking re-election, in Ogun State
So far, the APC has won in 12 local government areas of the
state, while PDP has emerged winner in seven LGs.
There are 20 local governments in Ogun State. As of the time
of filing this report at 8.02pm, result from the last local
government, Ipokia, was still being expected.
Buhari won in Ifo, Odogbolu, Egbado North, Egbado South,
Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Ijebu North East, Obafemi/
Owode, Ewekoro, Ijebu Ode, Ado-Odo/Ota and Odeda.
Jonathan won in Imeko Afon, Sagamu, Remo North, Ogun
Waterside, Ijebu East and Ijebu North.
The LGs, where the APC recorded huge votes,are Ifo, Abeokuta
South, Ado Odo-Ota, Abeokuta North, Odeda, Obafemi-Owode
and Ewekoro.
The PDP also proved its mettle in Imeko Afon, Buruji
Kashamu’s stronghold, Ijebu North, and Sagamu.
The local government areas, where both candidates ran neck-
to-neck, are Ijebu North East, Ogun Waterside and Odogbolu
LGs.
Soldiers battle gunmen in Bauchi
Nigerian troops on Sunday engaged gunmen in fierce battle in
Dungulbe village, seven kilometres from Bauchi, the Bauchi
State Capital.
Reliable security sources and villagers confirmed the fighting.
A soldier, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told newsmen
that fighter jets had been drafted to support the troops to
repel the hoodlums.
“The fighter jets are pounding the enemy position while the
ground troops are engaging them,” the soldier said.
There was no clear information on casualties on both sides
but villagers said the soldiers pushed the gunmen into the
bush near Jitar village.
DSS, others bar journalists from collation centres in Imo
There was mild tension in parts of in Imo State on Sunday as
armed security personnel, including men of the Department of
State Security, the Police and the Army barred journalists from
collation centres in the state.
At the collation Centre in Owerri Municipal Council Secretariat,
journalists were turned back from the gate by stern looking
security operatives who could not give reasons for the action.
The anxious journalists who were at the centres to get the
results of the National Assembly and Presidential election
results were told to return home and wait until the results
were announced.
All efforts to reach the Resident Electoral Commissioner,
George Ada, were abortive as his phone was switched off.
Meanwhile elections were conducted yesterday in the polling
units where the exercise could not hold yesterday as a result
of non availability of voting materials.
It will be recalled that many supporters of the All Progressives
Congress were arrested and manhandled by security
operatives at the alleged instance of the People’s Democratic
Party.
Be patient, vigilant, Buhari tells Nigerians
Maj-Gen. Mohammadu Buhari (retd.)
The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress ,
Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has appealed to
Nigerians to be patient as the Independent National Electoral
Commission collates Saturday’s Presidential election results.
The APC candidate, who is contesting the poll for the fourth
time, gave the charge on his official Twitter page on Sunday
evening.
He urged his supporters to be vigilant.
He said, “Fellow Nigerians, I urge you to exercise patience and
vigilance as we wait for all results to be announced.”
Fellow Nigerians, I urge you to exercise patience and
vigilance as we wait for all results to be announced
— Muhammadu Buhari (@ThisIsBuhari) March 29, 2015
Gunmen attack Bauchi voters, police stations
An unspecified number of gunmen in a convoy of about 10
vehicles on Sunday stormed many polling units in Kirfi and
Alkaleri Local Government Areas of Bauchi State and
destroyed many electoral materials.
Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, stated this
in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in
Bauchi.
Mohammed said the gunmen also attacked two Police
Stations in the two councils.
The PPRO said, “You may recall that on the 28/3/2015
(Saturday) at about 2.30pm, unknown gunmen in about six
vehicles attacked a polling unit at Yautara Ward in Darazo
LGA and set ablaze electoral materials.
“Combined security forces, comprising the police and Army,
forced the hoodlums to abandon their mission and escaped
into the bush.
“However, today, 29/3/2015 (Sunday) at about 0025hrs
(12.25am), hoodlums further attacked Kirfi and Alkaleri
Divisional Police Headquarters, but were repelled and pursued
towards Dindima Town along Bauchi Gombe Road.”
The Police Spokesman said operations were still ongoing,
adding that the areas had been cordoned off by a combined
team of security forces with efforts being intensified to restore
normalcy in the area.
He said, “Members of the public are urged to remain calm and
disregard rumour from mischief makers.”
Tension heightens between Rivers APC protesters, police
Policemen fired gunshots at INEC office on Aba Road, Port
Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, around on Sunday as the
protest against Saturday’s elections in the state began to
heightened.
The incident happened after APC supporters surrounded an
SUV in front of the Commission’s office, believed to have the
PDP governorship candidate in the state, Nyesom Wike, inside
it.
After appealing in vain to the APC supporters to clear the way,
the SUV forced its way through the angry mob, who stoned
and hit it the various objects.
They attacked several vehicles moving in and out of the area
carrying electoral materials.
More tanks and heavily-armed security officers have been
moved into the area.
Tension remains high in the area.
INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega, just announced that the
commission’s office in Port Harcourt had been set on fire.
Saturday, 28 March 2015
Boko Haram attacks polling units in Yobe and Borno states
More reports of Boko Haram attacks in the North...
Police arrest man with snatched 300 PVC, others in Ebonyi
ABAKALIKI- MIDDLE aged man, Ozemena Odeta among others
have been arrested at Ekawoke Ward in Ikwo local government
area of the state while distributing Permanent Voters Cards,
PVC allegedly snatched from Independent National Electoral
Commission, INEC staff during the last distribution exercise in
the area.
Addressing newsmen immediately after his accreditation, the
state Deputy Coordinator, Goodluck/Sambo Presidential
Campaign Organization, Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu stated
that the suspect disappeared from the community after
stealing the cards but resurfaced during the election.
He noted that the suspect was arrested by the police when he
was allegedly distributing the PVC to voters who agreed to
vote the candidate of his choice.
According to Ogbuewu, the reports reaching him from different
parts of the state has it that the Card Reader failed to
authenticate most voters.
“I want to inform you that the person that snatched about 300
PVCs from INEC staff during the last distribution exercise has
been arrested by the police; you see immediately after the
theft, the guy disappeared from the community but resurfaced
during the election”.
A police source which further confirmed the development
added that the police in the area had commenced
investigation into the matter to ascertain the involvement of
any other suspects
Taraba PDP chairman, 700 others denied voting
The chairman Peoples Democratic Party Taraba state chapter
Hon. Victor Bala Kona and 700 others were denied been
participated in the presidential and National Assembly
election.
Victor Bala and the 700 others were denied participation in the
election by INEC for not having their names on the voters
register even though they were with their PVCs.
The Electoral officer of Ardo-Kola local government area,
where Victor Bala and the 700 others came from, Mallam
Garba Inua confirmed the incident to Vanguard, he also said
the hitches occured in three other polling units of the local
government.
Bala Kona while briefing journalist at his house in Sunkani
said he was protesting along side the 700 others for been
disfranchised by INEC in an election that matters so much to
Nigeria.
He stated that after visiting INEC office in Ardo-Kola he also
proceeded to Jalingo the state capital to meet with the INEC
resident commissioner to register his protest.
“I went to REC at Jalingo office of INEC and he has taken the
responsibility because there it was confirmed that my PVC is
INEC own”
“I have to rush back home and calm the situation here
because the tension was getting tensed up”
“Am disappointed and my people are disappointed with the
way we were denied of our civil responsibility”
He call on the INEC to find a way for giving him and the 700
others who he claimed they were his relatives to vote for the
elections.
INEC official, one other killed in Benue
MAKURD – A female adhoc staff of the Independent National
Electoral Commission, INEC, (name withheld) and a
commercial motorbike operator were reportedly killed on
Saturday morning, along the Obussa-Ebonyi road, in Oju local
government area of Benue state.
Vanguard learnt that the INEC staff had boarded the motorbike
to Oju town where she was posted for election duties when
she, alongside the bike operator, met their untimely death.
According to the source,”they were riding on top speed at
about 7:45 when the front part of the motorbike suddenly
pulled of leading to the fatal accident and the instant death of
the INEC staff.
“Though the bike rider survived after sustaining seriously
injuries he later died before receiving medical attention.”
Reacting to the development, the Public Relations Officer, PRO,
of INEC in Benue state, Mr. Louis Ochai confirmed that the
deceased official was an adhoc staff who was moving to her
place of assignment when the accident occurred.
“We have already sent people there to give us a detailed
report on the matter for further action.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO,
Assistant Superintendent, ASP, Austin Ezeani who confirmed
the incident said the victims were on election duty when they
met their untimely death.
“I also want to state that aside this accident, we have not
recorded any ugly incidents in the state, so far it has been a
peaceful exercise in Benue state.”Ezeani said.
Explosion: NYSC urges corps members to remain calm
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has urged corps
members participating in the Presidential and National
Assembly elections in Enugu State to remain calm as their
safety had been guaranteed.
The Director of Corps Mobilisation, Mr Anthony Ani, made the
call in Enugu on Saturday in an interview with the newsmen
while reacting to the car bomb blast in the state capital.
Ani said that security agents had beefed up security in and
around the state to forestall further incidents. “I am urging
corps members in the state to be calm and careful as security
agents have assured us of your safety. “Do not be
discouraged. We are monitoring the situation and everything is
on course. I am impressed with the performance of corps
members in the election.’’
Ani, who is in Enugu to monitor the elections, expressed
satisfaction with the peaceful conduct in the state in spite of
the bomb blast. The director, however, decried poor
performance of the card readers and urged INEC to improve
on it.
Voting starts
1:30pm – Senate President, Senator David Mark, cast his vote
on Saturday, at about1:30pm , at the Otukpo Club Township
Ward One polling Unit in Otukpo
2: 33 -Voting started in Alimosho in ward D unit 44 in Lagos
at 2:33pm
Kogi State dep gov, Yomi Awoniyi, cast his votes at Ileteju 11
in Mopa, Kogi State.
Eligible voters on queue in Goni Gashiya of Bulunkutu Area,
Jere council area of Borno state.
Bayelsa Deputy Gov, Rear Admiral John Gboribiogha Jonah
cast his vote in Nembe
Has voting started in your polling unit ?
INEC restores website
The website of the Independent National Electoral Commission
has been restored after it was hacked by Nigerian Cyber Army
earlier in the day.
It will be recalled that the website of the Independent National
Electoral Commission was hacked by a group that parade
itself as Nigerian Cyber Army. The hacking was confirmed by
INEC on its Twitter handle, @inecnigeria
INEC suspends election in Delta community over insecurity
The Independent National Electoral Commission has
suspended election in Udu Local Government Area of Delta
State after the police said they could not guarantee security in
the area.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Anidi Ikowak, said
in Agbor that some stakeholders in the area did not allow
electoral officers to move voting materials to polling units.
He said the initial complaint was that they wanted to see the
constituency collation form.
He said, “But even when the form was brought, they did not
still want the materials moved.
“So the police had to advise that for security reasons, the
election should be suspended.”
Unknown group hacks INEC website
The Independent National Electoral Commission’s website,
inecnigeria.org, has been hacked by an unknown group.
On the website, the group, which displayed an election cartoon
of President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu
Buhari, identified itself as the Nigerian Cyber Army.
The INEC in its Twitter handle, @INECNIGERIA, confirmed the
hacking, adding that it was working to rectify it.
Details later…
Hoodlums shoot at police, soldiers escorting Corps members
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Explosion rocks Anambra polling unit
Less than an hour that a bomb exploded at a polling unit in
Enugu, a similar incident has occurred in Awka, Anambra
State.
The Anambra explosion took place at Atom a polling unit at
Umuokpara Primary School, Awka ward one.
Details later…
Enugu, a similar incident has occurred in Awka, Anambra
State.
The Anambra explosion took place at Atom a polling unit at
Umuokpara Primary School, Awka ward one.
Details later…
Who becomes Nigeria’s first lady: extrovert patience or introvert Aisha?
Patience Jonathan and Aisha Buhari
The Nigerian constitution does not recognise the office of the
First Lady which is a title for the spouse of the head of state
or president of Nigeria. However, the office has remained one
of the most funded and staffed since independence and the
First Lady is addressed by the title Her Excellency.
Nigeria has had several first ladies since independence but the
late Maryam Babangida, wife of Nigeria’s military president
from 1985 to 1993, General Ibrahim Babagida, began the
trend.
As first lady, she launched many programmes to improve the
lives of women. The “Maryam Phenomenon” became a
celebrity and “an icon of beauty, fashion and style,” a position
she retained after her husband’s fall from power.
When her husband became Head of State in 1985, Maryam
Babangida moved into Dodan Barracks in Lagos. She was said
to have arranged for considerable renovations to make the
rooms more suitable for formal receptions. As First Lady of
Nigeria between 1985 and 1993, she turned the ceremonial
post into a champion for women’s rural development. She
founded the Better Life Programme for Rural Women in 1987,
which launched co-operatives, cottage industries, farms and
gardens, shops and markets, women’s centres and social
welfare programmes. The Maryam Babangida National Centre
for Women Development was established in 1993 for research,
training, and to mobilise women towards self-emancipation.
She also established a glamorous persona. Talking about the
opening of the seven-day Better Life Fair in 1990, one
journalist said “She was like a Roman empress on a throne,
regal and resplendent in a stone-studded flowing outfit that
defied description…” Women responded to her as a role model,
and her appeal lasted long after her husband fell from power.
But the current First Lady in the person of Dame Patience
Faka Jonathan is one woman who shares the political space
equally with her husband, regardless of what the constitution
says about her office.
If her husband is re-elected, Nigerians may not see much
difference from what Mrs. Jonathan has done as their First
Lady for the past six years. But if General Muhammadu Buhari
of the All Progressives Congress gains the upper hand, then
Nigerians would then have a new experience with Mrs. Aisha
Buhari as the First Lady.
Dame Jonathan is reputed as a woman who holds court,
summoning ministers, even governors for meetings. Dame
Jonathan is not your regular first lady that is content with the
glamour of office; she is as active, if not more, than her
husband in the politics and politicking of the Peoples
Democratic Party of Nigeria.
With her influence, so many people have been appointed
ministers, permanent secretaries, ambassadors, name it. In
fact, through her, many governorship candidates have received
endorsement to contest in their home states.
Mr. Evans Bipi, a member representing Ogu Bolo State
Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, described
the first lady as his Jesus Christ. When he was asked why he
calls her mummy even when he was no way related to her nor
come from her local government, he said, “Have you forgotten
that she is from Okrika? So, whoever attains the position of
the First Lady, what would you call the person? You call her
mummy. She is the mother of the nation and she is the
mouthpiece of Okrika people. She is the mother of Okrika
people. So, every Okrika person calls her mummy. Ogu Bolo is
Okrika. They are all Okrika people. It is like Ikwerre and Obio/
Akpor; they are all Ikwerre. It is only the local government
area that split them. So, as an Okrika woman, who has risen
up to that position, everybody calls her mummy.”
He also justified why he called her his Jesus Christ on earth,
“Let me say this. Man is God to man; it is in the Bible. You
must not see God; you will see God through somebody. God
said, see me through Jesus Christ. That is why we are seeing
God through Jesus Christ. This woman (Patience Jonathan) is
everything in my life. She made me what I am today.
Politically and otherwise; I can say it anywhere. I can say she
is my Jesus Christ because she has made me who I am
today. That is the truth and I can defend that anywhere.
“Babangida’s wife was from Delta State. Her people called her
mummy. Yar’Adua’s wife is from Katsina, all the people from
Katsina call her mummy. Even Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s
wife, the people call her mummy. When a woman attains such
level, everybody calls her mummy. It is a form of respect. But
to me, my mummy (Patience Jonathan) is special because she
brought me up to this level.”
His testimony is not different from that of her other
beneficiaries and she wields enormous power.
On her own, she anointed Nyeson Wike, the present
governorship candidate of the PDP in her home state, Rivers,
to dislodge Rotimi Amaechi, after falling out with the
governor. Because of the respect the Bayelsa State Governor,
Mr. Henry Seriake Dickson had for her, he made her a
permanent secretary in July 2012 even after a long time
absence from work. But when she fell out with the governor,
she resigned from the office to show her annoyance. She then
handpicked the Special Assistant to the President on Domestic
Matters, Mr. Waripamowei Dudafa to take over from Dickson
in 2016 irrespective of the governor’s aspiration for a re-
election.
The likes of Chief Christopher Alao-Akala, a former governor
and deputy governor of Oyo State, would not forget in a hurry
the role Dame Jonathan played in the politics of the PDP in
Oyo State when she summoned their leaders and advised
them to make the former governor of the state, Chief Rashidi
Ladoja, the PDP flag bearer, even after the latter had since left
the party and become the founder of Accord Party. Akala is
today the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Oyo
State.
She is a woman who makes no pretence about her views.
After a long absence from the country amidst speculations
that she was down at a German hospital, the presidency and
her office kept on assuring the citizens that she had merely
travelled to rest after the rigours of the 2011 elections and
hosting of the African First Ladies Summit.
But on February 17, 2013, she came out to tell the stunning
story of how she rose from death after being dead for a week
during a thanksgiving service in Abuja. She debunked the
stories dished out from her husband’s office completely
without scruples.
Punctuating her testimony with praise songs, Patience, who
refused to read from a speech prepared for her, narrated to the
congregation how she underwent nine surgeries within one
month in London.
“It was not an easy experience for me. I actually died; I
passed out for more than a week. My intestine and tummy
were opened.
“I am not Lazarus but my experience was similar to his own.
My doctors said all hope was lost.
“People are always afraid of operation (surgery) but in my
own case, while my travail lasted, I was begging for it
(surgery) after the third operation because I was going to the
theatre every day.
“It was God who saw me through. I did eight or nine
operations within one month. It was not an easy one.”
When the Chibok girls were abducted by the dreaded Boko
Haram terrorists, Dame Patience beat her husband to take
action by summoning to Aso Rock those she believed could
explain what happened.
The video recording of the meeting in Abuja went viral and
trended so much, particularly the part where she discarded the
English language for her preferred pidgin and launched into a
tirade against the principal of the school and the Borno State
governor and his wife.
That was where she asked the principal, ‘Na only you waka
come?’ She broke down in tears and told the state governor
and those who wanted to rubbish her husband’s government
that, ‘There’s God o.’
Dame Patience Jonathan is more at home in her native
language and pidgin English, irrespective of the occasion.
Yet, the First Lady was sufficiently educated.
Born in Port Harcourt, she earned her school certificate in
1976, and passed the West African School Certificate
Examination in 1980. In 1989, she obtained the National
Certificate of Education in Mathematics and Biology from the
Rivers State College of Arts and Science, Port Harcourt. She
then proceeded to the University of Port Harcourt and studied
for a B.Ed in Biology and Psychology.
For Mrs. Aishat Buhari, wife of the presidential candidate of
the APC, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), the office of
the First Lady could turn out to be a completely different
experience if her husband wins the election and becomes the
president.
When her husband became the head of state in the 80s, she
had not yet appeared in the picture as she was said to have
got married to the General in 1989. At a time during the
electioneering, the ruling PDP made it an issue that Maj.-
Gen.Buhari might not have a place for a woman in public life.
As a former head of state, his then wife remained anonymous
throughout.
And when he started the current campaign, there was no sign
of a woman with him, creating the fear that he might not be
women friendly. That was when the picture of his wife
appeared on the social media and she turned out to be a
stunning beauty.
The opposition was still not satisfied. In fact, critics concluded
that the General must be less enamoured with women by
refusing to pose for pictures with his family.
When Buhari’s campaign train hit Abeokuta, Ogun State, early
this year, the major highlight was the unveiling of his wife. In
fact, both Buhari and his running mate, Professor Yemi
Osinbajo, used the occasion to pose with their wives and with
the way the pictures trended on the social media, many
Nigerians were impressed by the images of the potential First
Lady and her deputy.
Of course, all the major newspapers splashed the pictures on
their front pages the following day.
Aishat Buhari was drawn out to the public glare and as such,
observers are still trying to assess her to see the kind of First
Lady she will turn out to be if her husband is victorious at the
polls.
One thing is sure though, Maj.-Gen. Buhari has a softer side
represented by his gorgeous wife, Aisha.
Mrs. Buhari obtained a diploma in Beauty Therapy at Carlton
Institute of Beauty Therapy Windsor in United Kingdom; she
also obtained a certificate course in French Beauty School,
Esthetique Academie Dubai. She is also a member of UK’s
Vocational Training and Charitable Trust and the International
Health and Beauty Council.
Aisha also holds National Certificate in Education, a Bachelor
of Arts Degree at Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma and Masters
in International Affairs and Strategic Studies from Nigerian
Defence Academy, Kaduna. She is the founder/Managing
Director of Hanzy Spa and Principal of Hanzy Beauty Institute.
Though Aisha has managed to limit her public gaffes, what
she said about Edo women has drawn the wrath of the people
of the area. Aisha had said that if her husband is elected, he
would make sure that there were enough jobs so that young
women from Edo State would no longer take to prostitution.
The women group in the state took her up on this. She must
have learnt some lessons from the criticisms that trailed her
comments.
Nevertheless, she has said, “For me, I will perform my duties
and role as the wife of the President of Nigeria traditionally.”
