He stated that the quickest way to get President Buhari’s attention is through newspapers because he reads them, cover to cover.

Garba Shehu

Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant of Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that his principal has a large appetite for news and is always on top of the happenings in the country.

Garba noted in a chat with Nigerian Tribune that it has been an interesting journey and he had come to understand the quality attributes of President Muhammadu Buhari and also appreciate him.

He stated that the quickest way to get President Buhari’s attention is through newspapers because he reads them, cover to cover.

He explained that Buhari was indeed aware of happenings in the country even before he was briefed by the media aides. “And then, you also have been dealing with a president who has a large appetite for news. It amazes me that for the most part, this is the quality of the president that a lot of Nigerians have not discovered up to this time now that we’re even getting out.

When we started, we were doing morning briefings for him, go to him and say, ‘Well, this is what the television networks are saying this morning. This is what the newspapers are reading this morning.’ I tell you for the most part, you will find that he has read far more than you have read yourself. He reads paper from cover to cover. And so therefore, you realize by 10 o’clock when you ask to brief him, you’re bringing nothing new to him.

I’ve always said this about Nigerians that if they know how President Buhari does these things, they’d realize that the quickest way to get his attention on any given issue, whether it’s a flood situation or disaster or some trouble that is brewing somewhere, put it in the newspaper.

He will read it before maybe, you know, says Niger Delta, the minister, director in the field does a memo to ministry headquarters, ministry headquarters forwards a letter to President through Office of Chief of Staff and all of that, the President reads the press, and he watches TV. That’s why he’s always on top of the situation and well ahead of you for the most part. So, this is it.“

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