The "Office of the first lady" or "Wife of the President of the Federal Republic" (whichever soothes your fancy) has come under scrutiny in recent times. While some feel the position is both unconstitutional and unnecessary, others argue that the role of the first lady is vital in any democratic dispensation. The argument is a fallout of the promise of the Buhari regime to scrap this notorious position, and this promise arose because of the way former first ladies have abused the office, using it to commit all manner of atrocities - to the extent that a former first ladies was even threatened to be dragged to the International Criminal Court!

But before we scrap this office, perhaps its important to look at the roles other first ladies of the world have played in their countries, to boost democracy and ameliorate the plight of the poor in society.

1. Michelle Obama

The first African-American first Lady of US President, Barack Obama plays all her roles effectively. Be it a mom's role, a fashionista or socialite, Michelle balances all. During her early months as First Lady, Obama visited homeless shelters and soup kitchens. She also sent representatives to schools and advocated public service. Obama advocated for her husband's policy priorities by promoting bills that support it. She hosted a White House reception for women's rights advocates in celebration of the enactment of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 Pay equity law. She supported the economic stimulus bill in visits to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and United States Department of Education. Some observers looked favorably upon her legislative activities, while others said that she should be less involved in politics. According to her representatives, she intends to visit all United States Cabinet-level agencies in order to get acquainted with Washington. On June 5, 2009, the White House announced that Michelle Obama was replacing her current chief of staff, Jackie Norris, with Susan Sher, a longtime friend and adviser

2. Betty Ford
Betty Ford will best be remembered for her efforts in seeking equality for women, closely followed by her role in raising awareness of breast cancer and substance abuse. Following the tumultuous years of the Nixon Administration, Gerald and Betty Ford brought stability and public confidence back to the office of the presidency, in itself a formidable accomplishment. Following her own mastectomy in 1974, Mrs. Ford made countless public appearances to help further breast cancer research, urging women to be proactive in the diagnosis of that deadly disease.

3. Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton
When Bill Clinton took office as president in January 1993, Hillary Rodham Clinton became the First Lady of the United States, and her press secretary reiterated that she would be using that form of her name. She was the first First Lady to hold a postgraduate degree and to have her own professional career up to the time of entering the White House. She was also the first to have an office in the West Wing of the White House in addition to the usual First Lady offices in the East Wing. She was part of the innermost circle vetting appointments to the new administration and her choices filled at least eleven top-level positions and dozens more lower-level ones. After Eleanor Roosevelt, Clinton is regarded as the most openly empowered presidential wife in American history

4. Carla Bruni-Sarkozy
Following her marriage to Sarkozy, in February 2008, Bruni continued accompanying him on state visits, including to the United Kingdom in March 2008, which created a sensation in the international press and for the public in both Britain and France.She had an office and staff at her disposal in the East wing of the Élysée Palace

5. Samantha Cameron
Samantha first met her future husband at a party at the Camerons' family house when Samantha was 16. The couple married on 1 June 1996 at the Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury, East Hendred, Oxfordshire, five years before he became an MP. Cameron serves as ambassador for the British Fashion Council and plays a prominent role in London Fashion Week. In 2010, she was named in Tatler's top 10 best-dressed list. She is active for a number of charitable causes; and in June 2013 she became a patron for the British charity Vitalise

6. Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt mirrored her husband in her vocal belief that America would not only recover from the Great Depression but would emerge stronger than before. A woman of considerable wealth, she became the foundation of hope for the poor and outcasts in the United States. She lobbied tirelessly for civil rights when that issue was very unpopular. Speaking on radio or in person, she was quick to offer words of encouragement. “It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness,” she said, as well as “What could we accomplish if we knew we could not fail?” And Americans believed her during a time when they believed very little else.

Hmmmmmm

GMB said no office of the first lady/president's wife/iyawo ile/ yarinya etc in his regime because it was unconstitutional(campaign promise) you all voted for that......that is exactly what we want to see- NO OFFICE IN ASO ROCK SAVE FOR THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT's!

Anything other than this is a rape on the intelligence of the slowpokes who voted the senile certificateless normad in the first place.

tswitch:
GMB said no office of the first lady/president's wife/iyawo ile/ yarinya etc in his regime because it was unconstitutional(campaign promise) you all voted for that......that is exactly what we want to see- NO OFFICE IN ASO ROCK SAVE FOR THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT's!

Anything other than this is a rape on the intelligence of the slowpokes who voted the senile certificateless normad in the first place.

Your bitterness will only cause u more harm than good!

I was HERE

blackpanda:

Your bitterness will only cause u more harm than good!

Your stupidity is not being able to comprehend the post.

Run along now, go troll elsewhere.