Do you remember the Nigerian well wisher, Akinjide Ajisafe, who delivered a flower and a get well card for President Muhammadu Buhari at the Abuja House, London, when he was on vacation?
Five weeks after, Buhari has written a letter to appreciate the gesture of the 38-year-old Oyo-born health and safety and fire management consultant.
On February 13th, 2017, Ajisafe, who resides in the United Kingdom, had submitted a card and flower at the Nigerian Embassy, UK, with the following message to wish the ailing Nigeria president quick recovery:
“Dear President Muhammadu Buhari
“May the prayers and blessings of good health I am sending with these flowers make you stronger and healthy
“Mr president, I am sure if you have look outside, right in london the sun of Allah is shining and he is telling you to get well. Many are so earger to have you back, especially in terms of the stability of the country. I hope this little card and flower help a little to know how lovingly you are thought of … by many of us in UK
“May Allah continue to guide, bless and direct you to the right path.”
Presenting the letter dated March 20th, 2017 and signed by a senior special assistant to the president, Mallam Sabi’u Yusuf, the Nigeria Embassy administrative officer, Mr. Orisamakin Raphael Adewunmi, appreciated him, adding that with people like him, Nigeria is regaining her lost glory.
Ajisafe, while speaking to InsideOyo from the United Kingdom, said he may not like some of the policies of the present administration but as a Nigerian, “I must wish my country well, at all times.”
Hear him: “Though I disagree with some of the policies of President Buhari, that does not mean we should wish him bad. If he dies, we will start all over again.”
According to him, he was happy to have received the appreciation letter. He, however, stressed that it would have been practically impossible for him to get the letter delivered if it were to be in Nigeria.
“I just got to Nigeria House, press the bell and a security detail came out to collect the flower and the letter. Here, in UK, the security is more relaxed. After I delivered the letter and the flower, I got a call from all over. Apparently it is possible because we live in the UK. I know it would have not been difficult to deliver the letter in Nigeria because of the communication gap and the system we run. I was amazed by the publicity it generated.
“And of course, I am delighted not because of the content of the letter from Mr. President but the fact that he acknowledged it. I doubt if Nigerians at home have access to the State House like we enjoy here. That shows you how our communication system works in Nigeria. In the State House, there is no address system. No post-office box to send letter to,” he lamented.
He urged the communication ministry to do something urgent to revive the Nigeria Postal Agency (NIPOST) so that Nigerians can communicate with their leaders freely.