ADVERTISEMENT

What were President's daughters doing at the UN General Assembly?

Were the First Daughters part of the delegation? Did they make any of the delegate lists?

Mrs Buhari shares the spotlight with her daughters

President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly made it to the 71st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York with an 86-man delegation.

The breakdown of the President’s team included the following: A 16 man presidential advance team, 14 presidential aides, 32 ministers and aides, 24 officials of foreign affairs and other MDAs (Ministries, Department and Agencies).

By recession standards, that still appears like some crowd.

Nigerians were outraged when news of the size of the President's delegation first found its way into cyberspace. In a time of recession, most Nigerians spoken to for this story say, the President's delegation should have been leaner.

ADVERTISEMENT

Quizzed on the size of the President's delegation on Channels Television on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, Kemi Adeosun who is the Finance Minister, said government was indeed cutting cost.

She added that she should have been among the party to the UNGA, if government was still run the way it was in the past.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan once famously made it to the United Nations General Assembly in New York with some 600 persons.

According to Adeosun, a circular was sent to everyone in the bureaucracy that read something like this: "If you don't have meetings at the UNGA, stay back home."

The President's wife, Aisha Buhari, also made it to the UNGA with 22 persons, including wives of Governors. According to media reports, Mrs Buhari funded her delegation from her purse.

ADVERTISEMENT

But it isn't the size of Mrs. Buhari's delegation that has got everyone talking. Social media users have shared the lead photo for this story of two (?) of the Buharis sharing a spot with their Mom at the UN General Assembly.

It also seemed like the ladies were having a ball, earpieces and all.

Were they part of Mrs. Buhari's or the President's delegation? Did they make any of the delegate lists?

did reach out to Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity in the Office of the Vice President, for his reaction, but he hadn't responded to our message at the time of heading to press.

A media aide of Mrs. Buhari's also declined comments on the picture and the role of the First Daughters at the UNGA.

ADVERTISEMENT

"They made the trip", said an APC official who craved anonymity for this story, "but strictly on the bill of Mrs Buhari's charity. The federal government wasn't responsible for their tickets".

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Another Boeing whistleblower is dead 2 months after the last one

Another Boeing whistleblower is dead 2 months after the last one

Yahaya Bello: Pressure mounts on EFCC as ex-AGF faults ₦80bn fraud case

Yahaya Bello: Pressure mounts on EFCC as ex-AGF faults ₦80bn fraud case

PHOTOS: Police arrest, parade masterminds of Abuja-Kaduna train attack

PHOTOS: Police arrest, parade masterminds of Abuja-Kaduna train attack

CSOs demand freedom in operation for anti-graft agencies

CSOs demand freedom in operation for anti-graft agencies

Anti-graft agency arrests 3 Kano govt officials aiding foreigners secure citizenship

Anti-graft agency arrests 3 Kano govt officials aiding foreigners secure citizenship

ONSA directs security agencies to enforce Nigeria’s cybercrime law fully

ONSA directs security agencies to enforce Nigeria’s cybercrime law fully

ASUU faction dissociates self from UniAbuja strike, says cabal behind action

ASUU faction dissociates self from UniAbuja strike, says cabal behind action

Nigeria’s economy to experience significant growth soon – Shettima

Nigeria’s economy to experience significant growth soon – Shettima

Businesses grounded in Maiduguri fish market as traders revolt against leaders

Businesses grounded in Maiduguri fish market as traders revolt against leaders

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT