The seat of power, Presidential Villa, Abuja, is back to life. It had been unusually quiet in the 50 days of President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence.
Traffic -human and vehicular- in and out of the sprawling complex had gone down drastically.
Most hit was the President’s Wing which comprises his office and residence.
Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who held forte operated from the other wing of the complex.
But once the NAF 541 helicopter that ferried Buhari from Kaduna landed at the Presidential Villa helipad around 8.42a.m yesterday, all that changed in a jiffy, the crowd returning instantly.
State House staff and top government officials were visibly delighted as soon as they sighted the chopper landing, discharging its occupants. Some governors, service chiefs, cabinet members and guests, who came to welcome the President, also could not hide their happiness.
The joy of the women folks, including the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, Osinbajo’s wife, Dolapo Osinbajo, and Head of Service, Ekanem Oyo-Ita, knew no bounds when the President entered his official residence.
They were all full of praises to Allah as they welcomed Buhari home.
Speaking on the President’s arrival at the State House, Abuja, the governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, said: “Let me start by welcoming back home the President from medical vacation and to thank Almighty God for this ceremony to receive him back home.
“On behalf of the 36 governors of the federation, Mr. President, we welcome you back. As usual, we will continue to pray for you and for the nation to have the strength to shoulder this responsibility given to you by God.”
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonishaki, said: “Your excellency, on behalf of the members of the Armed Forces, we want to thank God and appreciate Him for bringing you back safely from the medical vacation in the United Kingdom.
“We in the Armed Forces have continued to maintain our stand to ensure that we provide the necessary security and safety environment for the government and the people of the country so that, that which you so desire for the country are properly achieved.
“We continue to pledge our unalloyed loyalty to you and say that we will continue to perform our duties as members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. We appreciate your continuous support for the prosecution of our job,” he stated.
On his part, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, said: “This is a day of joy, not for only us here, but for the country, the whole of Africa and the whole world. Your arrival today has vindicated our position, our faith and our belief that you will return safely, and you have returned safely.
“I thank all Nigerians for their support, for their sympathy and the show of solidarity and for the prayers they offered you. I think it was what kept us going.
“And also to express my appreciation to all my colleagues, who despite all the talks, pressures, remained focused and carried on as if you were around.” he stated
Some staff, and especially visitors, who had stayed away from the State House mosque during Buhari’s vacation turned up in large numbers for the Friday Jumaat prayer in the villa.
They started trooping in as early as 12.30 p. m. with the hope of having a glimpse of the President during the prayer. But the President, probably due to the jet lag, could not attend the Jumaat prayers in the mosque yesterday.
It, however, did not show on the faces of the Muslim faithful if they were disappointed by the absence of the President at the mosque, while filing out of the mosque.
Discussions of the arrival of the President also engaged the attention of most staff in the offices visited in the villa yesterday. Most of them, who could not witness the early arrival of the President were happy with the latest development. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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