The presidency has announced that a documentary series that portrays President Muhammadu Buhari as a kindhearted man would air across Nigeria this Yuletide starting from Sunday (today).
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said the documentary titled: ‘The Human Side of President Buhari’ would depict that septuagenarian in a way never seen before.
“It is made up of interviews from close aides of the President and some others who have worked closely with him, carefully put together to show a side of the President that many would love to see,” Adesina explained.
It is scheduled to air on the Network Service of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) on Sunday, December 24 and Tuesday December 26, 2017. Time 8-9:00 p.m.
Channels Television would broadcast it on Monday, December 25, 2017 (Christmas Day) between 8-9:00 p.m..
However, since the news of the documentary became public, Nigerians have blasted President Muhammadu Buhari and his media aides for wanting to air such documentary at this sensitive time of fuel scarcity that has remained an issue for close to three weeks now.
However, the presidency in a swift reaction to the severe criticisms that trailed the proposed documentary said it was aware of the fuel scarcity issue and that appropriate actions were being taken to ensure it ends soonest, albeit the scarcity will not deter its intention to air the documentary today.
This was revealed in a statement on Sunday by Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina.
Read the full statement by Mr. Adesina below.
THE BUHARI DOCUMENTARY: WHY WE’RE AIRING NOW
I have read a lot of reactions, particularly online, on the timing of the airing of the documentary on President Muhammadu Buhari, slated for December 24 and 25, 2017, respectively, by 8 p.m. on NTA and Channels Television.
Some of the comments are borne out of genuine concern, which we appreciate, while others are virulent, coming from inveterate complainers. Fault finding is the stock-in-trade of such people, and if they mistakenly find themselves in Heaven, they would even complain against God. They have no other pastime.
The reactions mainly dwell on the fact that a documentary showing the human side of the President (as against the well-known iron and steel) is coming at a time there is severe fuel scarcity in the country. And I say, why not? Is life all about doom and gloom? Must we sit in ashes and wear sackcloth perpetually, and ignore the brighter side of life? God forbid!
The current fuel crisis is a combination of snafu (Situation Normal All Fouled Up) in the distribution process of petrol (which the NNPC admitted at the onset of the problem), and deliberate mischief and sabotage by some marketers, who want to force the hands of government to increase the pump price. Then, the situation is further compounded by hoarding of products, and panic buying. And government is working round the clock to restore normalcy, which will come in a matter of time.
Should we then be perpetually like King Lear at his worst, and consign ourselves to the doldrums occasioned by fuel scarcity at a festive period? No. Despite the temporal pains, life must continue, and we must look at the cheery side, while government works hard to bring succour.
That is why I disagree with armchair critics, who wail at the drop of a hat. Millions of Nigerians appreciate President Buhari, love him passionately, and would watch the airing of the documentary, which shows the President in a perspective not very well known before.
It’s a spice for the holiday season, and not even ephemeral fuel crisis would dampen the enthusiasm of positive minded Nigerians.
FEMI ADESINA
Special Adviser to the President,
