Enyi Ndigbo: Why VP Shettima deserves the title

By: James Bwala

Kashim Shettima has an adopted son, Paul, from the Igbo extraction. His Chief Security Officer, Mr. Efeanyi, and spokesman, Mr. Nwokocha, are all from the Igbo extraction. Beyond the tales trailing the conferment of his traditional titles in Anambra State, the home of the LP presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, Kashim Shettima has put the history of his commitment and relationship with the Igbo people beyond cheap imagination and interpretation of how and why the title of Enyi Ndigbo got to him.

So while some find the traditional title bestowed on Vice President Kashim Shettima worthy, especially those who remember history, it is natural for others, especially those on the fringe of people like Simon Okpe, to have some reservations on the traditional title bestowed on the Vice President, Senator (Dr.) Kashim Shettima by Igwe Dr. Robert Chukwudilim Eze (Okofia VI), Igwe Ukpo, and Clan Head of the Dunuokofia Ancient Kingdom in Anambra State, southeast Nigeria.

I have taken time to read many comments on Nigeria’s Nairaland Forum regarding the traditional title given to Shettima and what it means: “”Friends of the Igbo,” as well as other comments that follow from people who deliberately refuse to take a closer look at why Kashim Shettima deserved it.

Contrary to some insinuations, especially by those promoting the sentiments over the decision by the Igbo leaders to choose Kashim Shettima for the title, there is a need for them to understand the relationship the Vice President Kashim Shettima built over the years with prominent leaders of the Igbo people, not only when he came to office as the number two man in the country but going down the history books where it is written about Kashim Shettima and Jim Ovia, Tony Elumelu, and many others in the banking sector before his ascension to political prowess.

Many Igbos who live in Maiduguri know well and can tell moving stories of how Kashim Shettima, as governor, related to the Igbo community. He brought many of the Igbos closer to the government to understand their needs and also help them leave the state with equal rights as citizens. Kashim Shettima’s move wherever he pitched his tent was to unify the people, and his work since assuming office as Nigeria’s Vice President has been an effort to make Nigerians understand the kind of leadership the Tinubu Administration is trying to bring—that which reflected on the need to build unity amongst the diverse ethnicities in the country.

It was in that spirit that the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Friday, hours after being in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, moved to Anambra State in southeast Nigeria, where he spoke to the people who had been said to have been marginalized politically in the country to understand the political cloud under the Tinubu administration and build confidence that the government is geared towards changing the political compass in the direction that every region and people can have a shade over their political pursuit, particularly the people of the southeast extract.

While the Vice President attended the 32nd Ukpo Ofala Celebration of His Royal Highness, Igwe Dr. Robert Chukwudilim Eze (Okofia VI), Igwe Ukpo and Clan Head of Dunuokofia Ancient Kingdom, he received a chieftaincy title at the Ukpo Ofala Celebration. During the ceremony, Igwe Okofia VI bestowed upon Senator Shettima the title of Enyi Ndigbo, which translates to “Friend of the Igbo People.” This did not go down well with some of the people from that region who took to their social media pages to display their ignorance of the whole thing that happened in Anambra State.

Kashim Shettima, who spoke during the ceremony, said Igbo integration into mainstream Nigerian politics has begun. That should ring a bell to many of those calling their leaders names over Shettima’s new title and taking off their posts. Shettima was quoted in a statement signed by Levinus Nwabughiogu, the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, on Sunday. He was quoted while speaking after the conferment of traditional titles on him and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by His Royal Highness, Igwe Dr. Robert Chukwudilim Eze (Okofia VI), the Igwe Ukpo and Clan Head of Dunuokofia Ancient Kingdom in Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government of Anambra State.

President Tinubu was honored with the chieftaincy title “Eze Udo of Igbo Land,” meaning “King of Peace in Igbo Land,” while Shettima was decorated with the title “Enyi Ndigbo,” meaning “Friend of Igbo People.”.

Shettima, who also represented President Tinubu, said the administration understood the challenges of Ndi Igbo and would work assiduously to overcome them. He said, “With our leaders like Senator Hope Uzodinma, Senator Dave Umahi, and Hon. Ben Kalu, the process of integrating Ndi Igbo into the mainstream of Nigerian politics has commenced. Senator Ifeanyi Uba has just joined the APC.

“Wherever you go in this country, if you do not see an Igbo man, you better run away from that place. Why won’t I identify with you? Rest assured that the Ndi Igbo are the heartbeat of the Nigerian nation. We will work assiduously to see that Ndi Igbo are well represented.” He said.

Kalu congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, on the conferment of Igbo chieftaincy titles on them, saying that the conferment of the traditional titles would reinforce national cohesion and integration. Some of the people who took to their pages on social media are thinking otherwise owing to Simon Okpe’s theory, which has unsettled the Igbo communities about the realities being presented by the Tinubu and Kashim Shettima administrations.

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But while they roar, we celebrate the brave stance of the Igbo leaders for the step taken towards changing their political story on Nigeria’s landscape and their readiness to work to achieve political balancing for their children and the next generation.

As a member of the All Pioneers and Coordinators of Southern Borno APP to APC, a group of supporters of the Tinubu and Kashim Shettima administrations, we expressed delight and extended our warmest congratulations to VP Kashim Shettima on his conferment of the prestigious chieftaincy title of Enyi Ndigbo. We believe that this momentous honor recognizes Kashim Shettima’s exceptional achievements, his remarkable contributions within and beyond political lines, and his enduring relationship with the esteemed people of the southeast.

For his outstanding accomplishments and positive impact. We believe that the decision to bestow this chieftaincy title on Vice President Kashim Shettima is a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence and his dedication to fostering meaningful connections across various spheres.

As a highly accomplished politician and distinguished personality, the Vice President has continuously inspired generations with his exceptional talent and unparalleled expertise. His sterling pedigree as a performer and his extensive network of influence have earned him a well-deserved reputation as a role model and mentor to many aspiring politicians.

We applaud Kashim Shettima for his unwavering dedication to duty since he became Nigeria’s VP. His relentless pursuit of excellence and his numerous achievements have significantly impacted the lives of countless individuals, both within Nigeria and beyond. Kashim Shettima’s commitment to his community and his selfless efforts to promote democracy have garnered him immense respect and admiration.

We acknowledge the significance of this honorary chieftaincy title, as it represents not only an individual accomplishment but also a recognition of the valuable contributions made by Senator Kashim Shettima to the cultural and political landscape of the southeast region. It is a testament to his remarkable achievements and the high regard in which he is held by Nigerians who know his contribution towards balancing the political landscape in the country.

We believe the VP deserves the title, which shows his promotion of the unity of Nigeria and urges him to continue his noble work and serve as a beacon of inspiration for young politicians across Nigeria. This recognition further serves as an affirmation of his impact and a call to further contribute to the development and promotion of peace in Nigeria.

*James Bwala writes from Abuja

Enyi Ndigbo: Why VP Shettima deserves the title