Buhari strict on money issues, says Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday said President Muhammadu Buhari is very strict on issues that have got to do with money.

Speaking at the launch of `Essentials of Beauty Therapy’, the first book of Aisha Buhari, wife of the president, Osinbajo said much donations should not be expected from him because he was on half salary, just like the president.

Osinbajo represented the president at the occasion.

“The president and I are on half salaries. The president is very strict on money issues. So, don’t expect me to make a large donation,” he said.

Osinbajo expressed concern that the issue of girl-child education was still a concern in the 21st century.

“Girl-child eduction is still an issue, girls not having the opportunity to go to school. If the wife of the president didn’t have the opportunity to go to school, she wouldn’t have had the opportunity to reach others,” he said.

The president’s wife said her decision to present the book on the second anniversary of Chibok abduction was to contribute to the support of victims of insurgency, particularly mothers and children.

She urged people to buy the book which sold for N10,000 cover price, to support the girl-child education.

“It is on this note, l’m dedicating this event and the proceeds from the sales of the books to be used to empower the mothers of the Chibok girls,” she said.

“Others are Buni Yadi boys murdered in their sleep in 2014 as well as support the malnourished children in the different Internally Displaced Persons camps and other children in such situation across the country.

“As a mother, my heart is always with the parents of these children; I bear their pains and belief that this is one of the efforts to console them.

“The parents of these children brought to this event to witness this event is an indication that at individual level a lot can be done to alleviate their hardship.”

She described the book as the outcome of many years of research after series of courses she undertook in order to acquire the necessary knowledge to specialise in those areas.

Aisha expressed hope that the book as a training manual would be part of the curriculum of the new National Board for Technical Education, Vocational Enterprise Institute and National Institute Diploma on Cosmetology in beauty therapy in Nigeria.

“My natural passion for beauty and fashion developed the unique interest to work, teach and mentor young ones on beauty and fashion,” she said.

“In my over 10 years in beauty industry, l have trained, mentored and empowered hundreds of young Nigerians in different areas such as facial, skin and body care.”

The event was chaired by Bola Tinubu, a chieftain of the party, who was represented by Oluremi, his wife.

Tinubu lauded Buhari for her effort and urged generous donations, noting that the proceeds from the book launch was  for the rebuilding in the northeast.

The event was attended by Babachir David Lawal, secretary to the government of the federation; Winifred Oyo-Ita, head of civil service of the federation; Yahaya Bello, Kogi state governor; Zubairu Jibril Mai Gwari II, emir of Birnin Gwari; Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River, and some ministers.