Food and drinks down to the littlest requirements at the wedding of President Muhammadu Buhari’s beautiful daughter, Zahra, are to be the full responsibility of family, friends and aides, as no kobo of the government is to be spent on the event.
The wedding, the second time a Buhari would be married since the President got into office in May, last year, would see Zahra joined to her hearthrob, Ahmed Mohammed Idimi, the son of Nigeria's oil magnet.
The President is said to have decided to insulate the wedding from all government spending to avoid the tradition by his predecessors, who had made such celebrations a national event, with full financial backing from public purse.
The wedding which comes up on Friday, according to Garuba Shehu, Buhari’s spokesman, would be fully outside government, even with the President’s family intent on giving their daughter the grandest ceremony possible.
Zahra and Ahmed
Shehu, stressed that all expenses, including the printing and distribution of invitation cards, souvenirs, lunch event for the men and dinner for the women as well as other miscellaneous expenses would be financed by the family and personal aides.
He said the president has said that even though the family wants to make Zahra happy on her wedding day, she will not enjoy “royal wedding”.
He said: “Zahra Muhammadu Buhari’s wedding to Ahmed Mohammed Indimi starting today is a celebrity event to savour any day. Much as the family wants to make their daughter happy they, however, will not make it a royal wedding.
“The President’s family is trying hard to keep it as simple as possible. Wedding Lalle, Fatiha, lunch event for the men and dinner for the women who must have come from far and near and the bride heads to her husband!
“In a twist from what was a norm among past leaders, the President asked to be given the bill for the food at the banquet. Government, he said, has no business paying for that.
“This should be treated as private. His family and personal aides put the money together to foot the bill. No government money in invitation cards, souvenirs or Aso-Ebi. That’s essential Buhari for you!!.”
The Wedding Fatiha will be conducted at the National Mosque, Abuja, on Friday, while reception for guest will be held at the Presidential Banquet Hall.
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