A first lady is theoretically, a human sound bite; a presidential vanity the Nigerian society has learnt to condone simply to humour the airs of elected representatives into Nigeria’s public offices. However, overtime, those human sound bites have evolved into enfant terrible appendages of the excesses of Nigerian ruling class. And the consequences are what the country frequently has to deal with, to the consternation of the average Nigerian.
Though the nation’s constitution does not make provision for governmental roles for wives of public officials, wives of public officers, particularly the President’s have grown to become the most powerful individuals next to the public since the end of General Buhari-Idiagbon military rule. Their words are law, and they exert such influence over the society that the general populace has learnt to accept them as tin-goddesses of sort. It was hardly surprising therefore, when years ago, the First Lady at the period, Hajia Turai Yar’Adua, brought all the movers and shakers of the Nigerian economy under one roof and sold to them her idea to build a world class health centre, International Cancer Centre, where research and treatment of cancer and other related diseases would be conducted for societal benefit. By the time the sensitization and fund-raising event was over, about N10 billion was realized.
Alhaji Aminu Dantata handsomely donated N1.2 billion (the highest donation), while his nephew, Aliko Dangote donated N1 billion on behalf of the Dangote Foundation. Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, the Governor of Niger State who led the Governors’ Forum contributed N720 million towards the project and 15 members of the National Assembly also donated N7.5 million. Turai’s fund-raiser ceremony was indeed a monumental success. However, years down the lane, Nigeria is yet to benefit from the highly celebrated scheme.
There is no indication that the money realized from the fund-raiser has been put to good use in the interest of the fatherland and cancer victims across the country. It will be interesting to know what has happened to the N10 billion realized by Hajia Turai in pursuit of her seemingly noble venture. It would even be more interesting to know if the former first lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can give any meaningful account of how she utilized the money. This is not to incite the EFCC to harass the former first lady; it’s merely a call for probity, fairness and accountability from the country’s former first lady.
