After two months of United Kingdom holiday, the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, Sunday, landed in the country at 4.30 a.m. on a British Airways flight, but was furiously uncomfortable with the propagators of fake news.
Last week, major news outlets in the country published that President Muhammadu Buhari was rumoured to wed Hajiya Sadiya Farouk, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, as a second wife.
Some (excluding Straightnews) even reported that the First Lady had returned but was locked out of her official residence in Aso Rock by security operatives.
But unhappy Aisha cautioned Nigerians on the dangers of spreading fake news shortly after she returned from a medical leave from the United kingdom.
Mrs Buhari gave the warning while fielding questions from journalists shortly after her arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the early hours of Sunday.
The first lady was received at the Airport by the wife of Kogi State Governor, Mrs Rashida Bello, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Administration), Dr Hajo Sani and wife of former Governor of Nasarawa State, Mrs Mairo Al-Makura, among others.
She cautioned Nigerians against spreading fake news, saying that it does no good to anyone, and urged relevant stakeholders to make efforts to stem the act.
“The genesis of this fake news started when my husband fell sick and perpetrators of this act were showing fake Ambulance, Hospital and dead body suggesting that my husband is dead.
”That time, I received so many calls from other first ladies and Presidents of other countries to confirm; so I called the attention of NCC, NBC and the National Orientation Agency. ”Fake news will lead this country to something else if actions are not taken with immediate effect,’’ she said.
She, however, expressed gratitude to Almighty God for journey mercy back to Nigeria from United Kingdom after a medical was advised by her doctor. ”It has been a tradition for us. For like 20 to 27 years now, if our children are on holiday, we used to spend holiday with them.
“I never abandon my children and last year, I went to Spain and spent two months with Zahra when she gave birth.
“So, the same this year’s holiday in U.K, I fell sick; so, I stayed back to see a doctor and the doctor advised me to stay back to attend to my health.
“From the U.K, I travelled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and returned to England on doctor’s advice and they also advised that I should slow down my activities.’’
She expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for approving some Special Assistants to her office to assist her to achieve the mission of improving the lives and well-being of women and children in Nigeria.
