If a Nigerian president really wants to change our orientation he should start by getting his wife to set a good example. Here are 10 things he can do in that regard

By Ayo Akinfe

[1] Over the last week, we have just heard that Aisha Buhari has had four special assistants appointed to serve under her. She has also pledged to build a secretariat for African "First ladies." All that nonsense has to stop. There is no provision for any office called first lady in our constitution, so using public funds to bankroll such a position is illegal

[2] Nigeria's president's wife should continue to work just like any other woman in the country. Cherie Blair continued to serve as a judge throughout her husband's tenure in office

[3] No president's wife should be allowed to get medical attention abroad. She should make do with the services we have in Nigeria. If they are not good enough, there is nothing wrong in sacrificing yourself for the greater good of the nation

[4] No president and his wife should be allowed to send their children abroad for education while they are in office. They owe us an obligation to make a statement that they are committed to the Nigerian education sector and believe it is good enough

[5] President's wives should not have any official vehicles. She should either use her private care or public transport. Across Europe, prime ministers' wives use trains and even our own first ladies do as well, so it should be the same in Africa. This is something that should spur them on to sort out public transport

[6] President's wives should stop attending all these classy fundraisers and donating millions to them like they are the spouses of millionaire businessmen. Aisha Buhari, Patience Jonathan or Turai Yar'Adua should not be attending events where they are asked to sit alongside Folorunsho Alakija and match her for donations

[7] No president's wife should allow herself to be a point of contact for people seeking government contracts. She should not allow people close to her to do it either. We need laws to make this a criminal offence

[8] At the moment, there is all sorts going on. We have vehicles designated as belonging to Government Spouses Association and we have people printing business card saying "A friend to the wife of the president." All that nonsense should carry a statutory prison sentence

[9] Corruption thrives in Nigeria because those in office see it as an enterprueneral activity. Public office is seen as an investment in one's future and a means of getting rich. Across West Africa lately, only Jerry Rawlings left office penniless. In the past, Nigeria used to have such leaders as neither Tafawa Balewa, Yakubu Gowon or Murtala Mohammed had built any house before leaving office. For me, however, the ultimate icon was Thomas Sankara. The man died poorer than he was before he became the president of Burkina Faso. In Niger Republic too, Seyni Kountché died penniless. Such icons should be promoted as role models to be emulated

[10] We also have to end this fetish about charities and non governmental organisations (NGOs). Bear in mind they are supposed to be a kind safety net for the poor who society has failed. What we want to do is build a society in which people will not need charity, so NGOs are not to be promoted as some virtue. They are an aberration and evidence that the system is failing. President's wife's should pay more attention to economic growth than NGO activities