Abdulsalami and Aisha Buhari on loggerheads over gender roles

A former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has called on the men in the country to raise foundations that would cater for fellow men, because, according to him, men are fast becoming endangered species.

Abubakar, speaking at a fundraising and the unveiling of a cancer screening centre by the RAiSE Foundation in Minna, on Saturday, said there was the need for an initiative that would cater for aged men.

“We, men, are becoming endangered species, as the women are overtaking us. Let us try to raise a foundation that will take care of us at old age,” he said.

The wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, who also attended the event, gave the assurance that women would continue to support their husbands in achieving positive results.

Addressing the concerns raised by the former Head of State, Mrs. Buhari said, “Men should not be threatened because women have not taken over. We only see ourselves as bridge builders to help the men.”

Mrs. Aisha Buhari further urged women to be supportive in the agendas of their husband.

“There is nothing more gratifying than having a woman who is very active in all areas of life,” she said.

The Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, in his speech, extolled Nigerian women for their roles in society, describing them as strong supporters and pillars of the country’s political development.

The governor, while commending the vision of the RAiSE Foundation in establishing a cancer screening centre, bemoaned the devastating effect of cancer on women, and noted that women were prime victims.

The founder of RAiSE and wife of the state governor, Dr. Amina Abubakar-Bello, called for government and non-governmental players to work together in achieving results and to prevent post-partum haemorrhage at the community level.