Yusuf Buhari returns amid fanfare… but Nigerians want more
President Buhari’s son, Yusuf arrived Nigeria Wednesday evening to much fanfare.
He was received at the airport by the state Minister of Health, Dr Osagie and some top government officials.
Yusuf has, thankfully, fully recovered from the injuries he sustained in an unfortunate bike accident months ago.
His mother, Wife of the President, has thanked Nigerians for their “goodwill and support” and for praying for Yusuf’s successful recovery.
“May God Almighty bless all and continue to guide us all aright,” Aisha said Thursday.
But Nigerians want more than Aisha’s prayers.
They want a healthcare that would be just as good as the one Yusuf has received since the incident. They want the government to care about them just as much as it has cared for the President’s son.
They want a quality, accessible healthcare system that will not be plagued with incessant strike of doctors.
Some private doctors only recently complained that budgetary allocation to healthcare has become thinner and reduced disposable out of pocket income of patients.
The doctors also lamented that the NHIS, which was established to provide Universal Health Coverage to the Nigerian masses, is not functioning close to its intended capacity.
Currently, the Non-academic Staff Union of Universities (
The strike has rendered clinics at tertiary institutions shut and students have no access to immediate healthcare on their campuses should there be need for it.
Several public hospitals around the country continue to have tattered beds, shortage of drugs, and lack of other basic facilities.
One observer, Edward Onoriode said in reaction to Aisha’s announcement of Yusuf’s arrival on social media: “Imagine if Germany had been useless as Nigeria would they be able to treat Yusuf? We keep wasting tax payers money on stuff we can easily get back home. SMH.”
“What happens to those who don’t have money to send their children abroad for proper treatment?” another person queried.
See some of the mixed reactions that have trailed Yusuf’s return:
Glad to see Yusuf is back, don’t know him but like him from afar.
I hope the Presidency see need to upgrade our medical services.
Buhari promised to end medical tourism… But he and his son have gone on same, hypocrisy?
— Mr Boro (@iamMrBoro) March 1, 2018
Welcome home Mr. (or is he Alhaji) Yusuf Buhari from your medical trip overseas. It would be nice if you join in telling Dad that many roads across the country are in bad shape and crying for repairs. Once again, do welcome and have a nice rest at home.
— segun adio (@segunvc) March 1, 2018
So Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health went to the airport to receive President Buhari’s son, Yusuf, after his overseas medical trip. What sort of joke has Nigeria allowed itself to become?
— Chima Christian (@ChimaCChristian) March 1, 2018
Very happy to see Yusuf buhari is well recovered and not incapacitated in any way. This is really really nice news.
— Tokunbo – Salami A.O (@AyTokunboSalami) March 1, 2018
We thank Almighty Allah for the safe return of Yusuf Buhari after receiving first class medical treatment. We also thank God for protecting UNILAG students whose school remain open despite medical workers’ strike putting 30,000 lives at risk. Amen. pic.twitter.com/Bu3yvLT0c6
— Rotimi Akinola (@akinolarj) March 1, 2018
Yusuf Buhari is back after going to the 'abroad' to get medical help. How many of us can go to the abroad for such. News that shud make us angry (nt bcos we hate Yusuf though). Pple here are just pro-buhari not pro-Nigeria.
— yomi sam (@yomisam90) March 1, 2018
It’s great that Yusuf is back hale and healthy, but it would be just as great if the government of the day can ensure that like him, all Nigerians can get good healthcare anytime the need arises.
