•Apologises, says life of president’s wife more important than his
•I’m too old to be afraid of death, first lady declares
Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdukadir Mohammed, has apologised to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, over comments by an Islamic cleric, who charged his followers to kill her for being an ‘infidel’.
Mohammed who described it as a national embarrassment, said he was disappointed and frustrated that the death threats came from someone from Bauchi State.
The governor, who was speaking at the palace of the Emir of Bauchi during a one-day official visit of the first lady to Bauchi, reiterated that it was a national embarrassment that someone from his state would threaten the wife of the president.
“Your Excellency, you have distinguished yourself not only as a distinguished Senator but as a politician that has opened the new frontier of politics and politicking. Your renewed hope is being given as hope because you have set aside all the differences of politics and partisanship.
“And, of course, I am aware of some of the challenges and threats to your life and person by somebody from this state. I was so disappointed and frustrated, but you made my day as a courageous mother, you decided to come to Bauchi.
“Your Royal Highness, this distinguished lady has shown that Nigeria is really working and that Nigeria is one and nobody can play politics with our lives. We are very grateful, your life is more important to us than our own lives. Nothing will happen to you.
“That renegade, we will deal with him and Allah deal with him, by the grace of God. On behalf of their Royal Highnesses and the people of Bauchi, we apologise for that national embarrassment. It will not happen again.”
Speaking, the first lady said she was not afraid of death, noting that after reaching the age of 60 years, she was no longer afraid to die.
“I want to thank His Excellency (Bauchi Governor), he keeps assuring me that I am safe but I want to say that I am too old to be afraid. If God has granted me over 60 years on earth, I shouldn’t be afraid of death.
“I thank God that you encouraged me to come. Nigeria belongs to all of us and this is the time for us to unite more than ever before.”
On his part, the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwan Adamu, dispelled insinuations that Bauchi was not a peaceful State, describing her visit as a powerful symbol of the peace and progress of Bauchi State.
“I will like to use this opportunity to dispel any misconception about insecurity in Bauchi State. Our State is and has always been a State of peace and harmony.”
Meanwhile, Mrs Tinubu as the National Chairperson of the Renewed Hope Initiative, inaugurated some ICT and education facilities in the Bauchi State capital.
The projects included a community IT Center constructed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) at Yandoka Road and Alternative High School For Girls supported by Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) located at Federal low-cost
At the inauguration ceremony, the First Lady expressed commitment to ensuring women and girls have better access to ICT facilities to improve their digital skills.
