Buhari’s strange ‘Scottish’ bagpipers at Abuja Airport

Buhari’s strange ‘Scottish’ bagpipers at Abuja Airport

Monday, February 29, 2016 11:11 pm


President Muhammadu Buhari returned home in Abuja today,  expectedly to a red carpet reception by some aides, ministers and governors.

 President Buhari accompanied by the NSA Major General Babagana Monguno walks through the guard of honour formed by the 'presidential flutists'

President Buhari accompanied by the NSA Major General Babagana Monguno walks through the guard of honour formed by the ‘presidential bagpipers’

The bagpipers line the route to the Presidential chopper, in the background

The bagpipers line the route to the Presidential chopper, in the background

The original Scottish bag piper

The original Scottish bag piper

But there was more: a guard of honour that  one usually sees welcoming visiting leaders  or on ceremonial occasions such as Independence Day. President Buhari reviewed the guard.

Then surprise of all surprises:  dozens of bagpipers,men and women,  dressed remarkably like Scots. The difference was that they wore plaid shorts, not skirts and they were black faces, not whites.

The Buhari bagpipers were wearing berets and boots, suggesting they were from a command in the military or police. Their apparels were unmistakenly Scot.

They must be an innovation in presidential reception, in cash strapped Nigeria. But an innovation clearly insensitive to the financial state of the nation.

Police IG Solomon Arase was at the mouth of the plane ti welcome Buhari home

Police IG Solomon Arase was at the mouth of the plane ti welcome Buhari home

 Mallam Isa Funtua, Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola receive the president at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport

Mallam Isa Funtua, Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola receive the president at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport

Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola shakes hands with President Buhari

Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who was in Saudi Arabia and Qatar,  shakes hands with President Buhari

President Buhari disembarks from his aircraft on arrival in Abuja

President Buhari disembarks from his aircraft on arrival in Abuja

 Buhari inspecting the Guards of honour on his Arrival from Qatar and Saudi Arabia

Buhari inspecting the Guards of honour on his Arrival from Qatar and Saudi Arabia


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3 Comments

  • Nuel Nwambu says:

    Who are these people and where do they come from? What’s is wrong with us (Nigerians). British PM visits us here in Manchester without the road shutting down. Flamboyant welcoming of buhari at a time like this is worrying. What a shame.

  • GMB says:

    Abi oh! squadrons in Either Yoruba’s Abeti Aja cap with danshiki and kembe or Hausa’s Babanriga with turban or rather Igbo’s native attire? Pls are we in Scotland?

  • Chuka B. Uwechia says:

    Rather than Scottish regalia and bagpipes, why not a special squadron in traditional African garbs? Besides, a red carpet is not something you fete yourself. It’s something others ie a sister nation respects you with!

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