For VP Shettima: A Protégé’s Tribute

By Comrade Mahmud Muhammad, FDMSS, CNY
From Asokoro, Abuja, Nigeria
mahmood7070@gmail.com

It’s hard for me to put into words just how much Vice President Kashim Shettima’s mentorship has meant to me. When I reflect on the journey that has brought me to where I am today, his guiding presence and unwavering support loom large. The truth is that greatness is not necessarily the same as goodness, but VP Shettima has combined the two. He speaks into my life in many meaningful and powerful ways.

From the moment we first met in 2010, I was struck by H.E Shettima’s keen intellect, his unwavering commitment to public service, and his genuine passion for uplifting the next generation of leaders. Even as a young person, I could sense the depth of his wisdom and experience – qualities that he has so generously shared with me over the years.

What has made our mentorship so impactful, though, is the mutual respect and trust that has blossomed between us. I hold Vice President Shettima in the highest regard, not just for his achievements, but for the profound impact he has had on shaping my own character and decision-making abilities. In turn, his investment in my growth and development has spoken volumes through assurances that my own potential is seen and nurtured.

One of the things I admire most about VP Shettima as a mentor is his ability to strike the perfect balance – guiding me with a steady hand while also empowering me to find my own path. Rather than simply imparting his own knowledge, he has encouraged me to discover and nurture my unique strengths, always there to offer counsel and support when I needed it most.

My boss has inculcated in me a deep sense of self-assurance and independent thinking – qualities that have been invaluable in my work and personal life.

The true testament to Vice President Shettima’s impact, however, lies not just in my own growth and achievements, but in the lasting legacy he is leaving behind. By investing in the development of young, passionate leaders like myself, he is not only shaping the course of individual careers but also laying the groundwork for a brighter future for our beloved country.

As I continue to go through the ups and downs of my career journey, I know that I will forever carry the wisdom and guidance that Vice President Shettima has imparted to me. His mentorship has been a true gift, one that has indelibly shaped who I am and what I aspire to achieve. I can only hope that, one day, I will be able to pay that gift forward by mentoring others in the same selfless, transformative way.

To Vice President Kashim Shettima, I offer my deepest gratitude and admiration. Your commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders is truly inspiring, and I am honoured to have been the recipient of your wisdom and support. As the late American author, Pat Conroy, so eloquently expressed in his 1986 novel, The Prince of Tides: “Teach them the quiet words of kindness, to live beyond themselves. Urge them toward excellence, drive them toward gentleness, pull them deep into yourself, pull them upward toward manhood, but softly like an angel arranging clouds. Let your spirit move through them softly.”

These words speak volumes to the mentorship you have so graciously bequeathed to me and the guidance and leadership you have provided. I will strive to make you proud, both through my own accomplishments and by continuing to be an example to other younger ones in the years to come.