HPOTM: Congratulations To Star of The Month Mrs Aisha Buhari of Nigeria

Mrs Aisha (nee Halilu) Buhari is the wife of Nigeria's new president, Muhammadu Buhari which makes her the current First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Born on February 17, 1971, she hails from Adamawa State in the northern part of Nigeria. She is from a very noble family of the first Minister of defense , Hon. Mohammadu Ribadu.

On December, 2, 1989, she got married to retired Nigerian Army Major General and the former military ruler, Buhari. Together, they have five children (Aisha, Halima, Yusuf, Zahra and Amina). Her step children (Late Zulaihat, Fatima, Musa, Hadiza and Safinatu) are from her husband's previous marriage to Safinatu Yusuf - who passed away few years after her 17 years marriage ended in a divorce.

Mrs Aisha holds a bachelor's degree in Public Administration from Ahmadu Bello University; where she remains a strong alumna till date. Understanding the fact that "education is the strongest weapon we can use to change the world," she was motivated to seek higher knowledge in Physiotherapy. At the Institute of FRANCE, Dubai, she also earned post graduate diploma in cosmetology and beauty therapy. Always hungry for educational advancement, she attended the prestigious Carlton Institute of London and the ACADEMY Esthetique Beauty.

As a certified Beauty and Permanent Makeup Artist, she decided to give back to the society by mentoring aspiring cosmetologists and serving as a consultant to KRCP/NNPC on skill acquisition.

She is what we call a "Glam Mom" because she is a devoted wife, good mother, an entrepeneur, a renowned cosmetologist, a consummate politician who is greatly admired for her love for people, willingness to help others, and her ability to remain humble and accessible despite her status as a strong black woman. She is also a member of the United Kingdom Vocational Training and Charitable Trust (VTCT), THE International Health and Beauty Council (HBC).

She is very big on women's right movement in Nigeria and one of her major goals during her husband's tenure in office is to ensure that women are given equal rights to participate in the growth of the country. Her mission is to eradicate that "glass ceiling" by empowering women. Women's health and education are the two key areas she will be focusing on this purpose. She also plans to help women politicians raise funds for campaign.

This photo was chosen not only because it's the most recent of all Mrs Aisha's professional close shots, but also because it is the one that represents her best as the new First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Don't she look lovely, pleasingly graceful and stylish? The photo was taken in Abuja by one of Nigeria's best known photographers, George Okoro.

Mrs Aisha Buhari