by Kemisola Filani

How well do you think you know Aisha Buhari?

The only wife of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammad Buhari, recently had an interview with ThisDay Style Magazine where she revealed previously unknown details about herself and her family.

She further spoke on Buhari’s advocacy for women’s education, and potentially becoming the First Lady of Nigeria.

Read below:

1. I have been married to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari for twenty five years now and we are blessed with children and a grandchild.

2. My husband is a family-oriented person. He has very close relationships with his children, grandchild, and entire members of the family. He is very caring and protective of us.

3. Getting a busy person like my husband with so many demands and responsibilities to rest is a herculean task, particularly in this political period. His schedule is always so tight; being in one meeting or the other at home or in the office. However, I ensure he takes at least one hour thirty minutes uninterrupted siesta anytime he is home between 5-6:30 p.m.

4. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is a very humorous person and enjoys listening to comic stories. Whenever he cracks jokes you will laugh till you shed tears.

5. He also likes taking people by surprise.

6. Actually, I’m a very busy person but doing my things quietly. I keep to my profession as an esthetician, managing my spa and beauty institute both in Kaduna and Abuja. I also personally perform some advanced facial treatments like mesotherapy, gold facial and application of TCA etc. I have a number of documentations on my experience in this area including writing a book titled “The Essentials of Beauty Therapy.”

7. Also, I have been busy with my studies, doing one programme or the other. Before my Master’s Degree in International Affairs & Strategic Studies from Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA), I also obtained a Diploma in Beauty Therapy both in the United Kingdom.

8. As we all know, Nigerian women have come of age and giving them such opportunity like education will enable them excel. An educated woman holds the key to her future, her family, and the society. My husband believes in women’s education. He encouraged me to pursue my educational goals. I’m sure Nigerian women know the truth that he is a gender sensitive leader and will vote for him against all the political propaganda to discredit him. He insisted during his time as Head of State, that every council should have a female representative.

9. I don’t think there is need for any special preparation to be in the spotlight as wife of the president, because I will be like any other woman. However, for the kind of preparation you are referring to, having been married to a former president for over 25 years, and knowing his principles and what he believes as an honest and upright person, I will only pursue issues that will promote the welfare of the masses.

10. Most of the programmes implemented by Nigerian first ladies are based on humanitarian circumstances and are morally motivating to serve people. I may not come up with any major programme, rather; I will support many brilliant humanitarian ongoing efforts by several organizations. There are salient issues that will need support for those championing these causes. On that note, I will support any group with such genuine causes.

Sola