13th January 2020
PRESS RELEASE:
PRESIDENTIAL JET: HANAN BUHARI IS AN INSPIRATION
Critics of
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday went hysterical over the use of the
presidential jet by Hanan Buhari, the president's daughter. The latter had
used the jet on her trip to Bauchi where she had been invited by the emir to
showcase her talent in photography.
But a human
rights organisation has defended the president's action. According to the Muslim
Rights Concern (MURIC), critics are just making a mountain out of a mole hill.
This was revealed in a statement circulated to the media by the director of the
group, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Monday 13th January, 2020.
"An emirate
has shown keen interest in the uncommon skill of the president's daughter. The
emirate therefore invited her to demonstrate the skill at a public function. So
how private is a private function? Those who described the occasion as personal
to Hanan are petty, mean and most uncharitable.
“How private is private? Are we saying that the
traditional institution is inconsequential? What happened to our respect for
our norms and values? Are we to assume that our system no longer recognises the
traditional institution? If so, why do governors still appoint emirs, obis and
obas? If the law of the land still recognises traditional rulers, Hanan’s invitation
to Bauchi cannot be rightly described as a private affair.
"Besides, that function passed a strong
message to Nigerian youths, especially the Nigerian girl-child. It poses a
challenge to them to eschew laziness. More importantly, it underlines the
significance and relevance of every aspect of human knowledge. This is a very
important message wailers missed.
"An
intelligent and objective observer will see beyond the use of a presidential
jet. Well, only the deep can call to the deep. We all know that Nigerians
will give their right eyes to secure admission for their children to read
choice courses like medicine, law, accounting, banking and finance, etc. They
pay little attention and give complex to those reading what they regard as ‘low
profile’ courses like theater arts, education, religion, photography, etc.
“Hanan Buhari
has challenged the status quo. She read photography and made first
class. We salute her. She has done the Nigerian girl-child proud. She elevated
a ‘low profile’ course thus raising the spirit of those poor students reading
similar courses.
"We have chosen to address the tangential, not
the peripheral. What's in a presidential jet when the dreams of thousands of
Nigerian students have been rekindled? Hanan Buhari is saying, 'Stop looking
down on those who read less glamorous courses. Stop despising artists. They are
the gem of the collection'. Therefore, Hanan Buhari symbolises courage,
hope and success. Instead of criminalising her action, wailers should realise
that she has elected to inspire Nigerian youths to be hopeful and hardworking.
“Besides,
President Buhari should not be guillotined for permitting her daughter's use of
the jet. Afterall, it was not for any frivolous jamboree like shopping in
Dubai. We may want to ignore the excesses of past landlords of Aso Rock to
justify PMB's action. But it is on record that some first ladies actually
excelled Marie Antoinette, wife of Louis XVI in extravagance. Whereas PMB
exhibited prudence each time he attended the United Nations' events, we know
those who went with about 150 in tow, brandishing pomp and pageantry on the
streets of Washingon DC to the consternation of other delegates. We know past
presidents who gave out presidential jets to their cronies and praise-singers,
their aourt jesters and bootlickers. But we will not descent to that petty level.
“It amounts to
overzealouness on the part of critics to grab every little straw and make
mountains out of mole hills. They are simply trying to draw the attention of
Nigerians away from PMB's monumental achievements simply because they were
merely looking for the president's faults.
“We appeal to
politicians to change from politics of negativity, retardation and destruction to
positivism, patriotism and constructive engagement. It is not everything that
political opponents do that we must sensationalise and demonise. It raises true
democrats above the herd to appreciate good things in the opponent.
"As we drop
the anchor, we appeal to Nigerians to ignore the razzmatazz in the presidential
jet furore. Rather, attention should be given to the lessons inherent in Hanan
Buhari's outing. We call on Nigerian youth to see light at the end of the
tunnel. There is a bright future for those who face their studies and vocations
no matter what field. Politicians should desist from politics of negativism."
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
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