#BBB NEWS| French President Phones Buhari, Invites Him To Paris

French President Francois Hollande spoke with President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, on the telephone on Thursday and invited him to Paris for discussions on the expansion of trade between France and Nigeria.

A statement by the French Embassy in Abuja said the French leader congratulated Buhari on his success and noted the peaceful and fair electoral process which had enhanced Nigeria’s democracy.

“The French head of state assured the President-elect of France’s wish to continue the close relationship that existed with his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, and reiterated France’s support for Nigeria and its neighbours in their efforts to combat the terrorist sect, Boko Haram,” the statement added.

Hollande also expressed his wish to expand trade between France and Nigeria and invited his Nigerian counterpart to Paris.

#BBB NEWS| Buhari: The Soldier, Politician, President-Elect

Muhammadu Buhari was born on December 17,1942, in Daura, Katsina State, to his father Adamu and his mother, Zulaihat. He is the twenty-third child of his father. Buhari was raised by his mother, after his father died when he was about three or four-year-old.

In 1971, Buhari married his first wife, Safinatu (née Yusuf) Buhari (First lady of Nigeria December 1983-August 1985). They had five children together, four girls and one boy. Their first daughter, Zulaihat is named after Buhari’s mother. Their other children are Fatima, Musa (deceased), Hadiza, and Safinatu.

In 1988, Buhari and his first wife Safinatu were divorced. In December 1989, Buhari married his second and current wife Aisha (née Halilu) Buhari. They also have five children together, a boy and four girls. They are Aisha, Halima, Yusuf, Zarah and Amina.

On January 14, 2006, Safinatu Buhari, the former first lady, died from complications of diabetes. She was buried at Unguwar Rimi cemetery in accordance with Islamic rites.