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KACRAN Praises Shettima’s Leadership Qualities
KACRAN Praises Shettima’s Leadership Qualities
By: Michael Mike
Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has said that the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima has come to show to the rest of Nigerians the jewel he was while handling the demoralizing Boko Haram crisis he could still move Borno State in the path of development as a governor.
The group, in a statement on Friday, signed by its National President, Hon Khalil Bello said Kashim Shettima’s magic in Borno State is gradually being unraveled at the national level since he was appointed first as a Vice Presidential candidate and later elected.
Bello said: “Sincerely speaking, before he was deservely and most suitably nominated by our action President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as his presidential running mate, what Nigerians know about the political capacity, actionability, thruthworthness, firmness, vast experience in governance, sincerity of purpose and inclusivity in governance of Senator Kashim Shettima was very little especially those living outside the parameter of Borno State or other part of the North East region of the country.”
He added that: “Unlike his immediate predecessor, His Excellency Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, who out of wisdom and foresight nominated Kashim Shettima to succeed him, who was well known both in the State and in national politics, the only thing many Nigerians knows about His Excellency, the Vice President, Alhaji Kashim Shettima was a former governor of Borno State who performed wonderfully good in his State when he was a governor towards fighting insurgency and bringing numerous developmental projects in his State and serving Senator of the federal republic of Nigeria, that was all but he was hardly a major voice in the nation’s politics.
“But after being wisely nominated to serve in the aforementioned capacity and started given very hot lectures and powerful speeches during the APC rallies and presidential campaign activities across the country, it was then, that many Nigerians who were not fully acquainted with his versatility in the Nigeria’s politics and other issues of great importance towards unity and the development of our fatherland, they the entire nation started knowing this jewel, Senator Kashim Shettima.”
He added that: “Then comes the time when he was successfully elected as the vice president and Nigeria’s political horizon was beclouded or darkened with claims and counter claims on which religion or part of the country as a matter of establishing trust, confidence and cementing the country, and who would be right to produce the 10th Senate President. Shettima came up to show the light.”
He acknowledged that this was misconstrued by the Muslim north, with: “This singular remark seriously heating up the northern Nigeria’s political space in response, the unassuming and the amiable vice president, being a very simple and humble man made a very strong heartfelt and heart warming apologetic appeal in BBC Hausa Radio broadcast, where he passionately appealed to all the aggressived people, that his statement was misunderstood, adding that his stand was with good intention to buttress the need for justice and equity in the allocation of public office in Nigeria and not to belittle any religion in the country.
“He even stated that, he is a devoted Muslim whose parents and ancestors are Islamic scholars who worked assiduously in spreading and preaching islamic religion, he said the history of his Islamic leanage would be traced back for over one thousand four hundred years back.”
He said: “We member of the above great association (KACRAN), are so much excited on how the vice president directly talk to Nigerians more speciality his fellow Muslims brothers and apologize for the crime he never committed or intended to do, and seeks for their forgiveness and that of his creator the Almighty Allah.
“To us KACRAN, the above singular act of our democratic vice president clearly shows how courageous and very sincere person he is.
Secondly, when he was a governor in Borno State, His Excellency our Vice President Kashim Shettima, demonstrated act of sincerity and inclusiveness to Borno State herders whom he treated with equity, justice and fairness by enrolling their children/wards into the most prominent, private and loved Secondary School in Maiduguri known as Elkanemi College of Islamic and Theology.
“Where he paid for their tuition fees for both primary and secondary School up to their completion
“That during his Government, in his bid to treat his subjects equally. He made sure that the children of the most vulnerable/under privileged herders especially children of Fulani security guards and those whose parents are living in the bushes or villages are given equal or more opportunities same as those who are residing in Maiduguri metropolitan city.
“Most of these children are currently speaking pure Arabic language and Queen’s English, because they were receivers of both Islamic and Western education.
“He provided free buses on daily bases moving from one street to another in Maiduguri metropolis and Jere local government and environs to transport the herders children to the school to and fro.
“Similarly, in making sure that, the Borno State herders children have gotten the same educational right equal to those who are residing in Abuja , FCT, Senator Kashim Shettima built an ultra modern Special Primary and Secondary School in New GRA, Bama Raod, Maiduguri and named after the wife of immediate past president during their regime “Aisha Buhari Integrated Primary and Secondary School”, where by ninety percent of the students are herders children in which the resident of the said GRA who are mainly his Kanuri kinsmen were given only ten percent of the total number of students to be admitted and on daily basis gave free meals to All students.
“We of KACRAN, it is our ardent belief that this is courage, justice sincerity and fairness in the highest order done to us by Vice President Kashim Shettima for which he deserves our highest commendation and appreciation.
“More so, I want to use this medium to advise and encourage our leaders to kindly emulate the good virtues of apologizing and asking for forgiveness from their followers whenever they offend or seem to have offended them. Truly this is a mark of true and authentic leadership, humility in leaders go a long way to promote harmony and understanding in society.”
KACRAN Praises Shettima’s Leadership Qualities
News
ECOWAS@50: Liberian Students Honoured for Essays on Youth Entrepreneurship and Regional Integration
ECOWAS@50: Liberian Students Honoured for Essays on Youth Entrepreneurship and Regional Integration
By: Michael Mike
Students in Monrovia, Liberia, have been honoured for their contributions to a regional essay competition organised to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The awards ceremony, organised by the Office of the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Liberia, celebrated outstanding undergraduate essays examining the role of young people in driving development and strengthening regional cooperation across West Africa.
Launched as part of the ECOWAS@50 anniversary activities, the competition invited university and college students to reflect on the theme, “Youth Entrepreneurship as a Catalyst for National Development and Regional Integration.” Organisers said the initiative was designed to stimulate intellectual engagement among young people and encourage them to think critically about their role in shaping the future of the region.
In total, 40 essays were submitted by students from tertiary institutions across Liberia, offering diverse perspectives on how youth-led enterprise could contribute to economic growth, job creation and deeper integration among West African nations.
At the ceremony, Samuel R. Watkins of the University of Liberia emerged as the overall winner, receiving a $1,000 prize for his submission. The second-place award went to Daniel Isaac-Sie Jr. of African Methodist Episcopal University, who received $700. Organisers announced that the two winning essays will also be published in national newspapers with online platforms to broaden public engagement with the ideas presented.
The event attracted a distinguished audience that included ambassadors of ECOWAS member states accredited to Liberia, university presidents, and representatives from the Ministry of Education of Liberia, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Liberia, and the National Commission on Higher Education of Liberia.
Speaking at the ceremony, Josephine Nkrumah, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Liberia, commended the students for the depth of thought reflected in their essays and encouraged them to continue using writing as a platform for civic engagement and policy influence.
She emphasised that empowering young people to participate actively in national and regional development remains a key priority for ECOWAS, noting that youth voices are essential in shaping policies that drive economic transformation and social progress.
Nkrumah also urged participants who did not win to remain committed to intellectual pursuits, describing the competition as a learning experience that should inspire greater academic and creative efforts in the future.
The competition forms part of broader activities marking 50 years since the establishment of ECOWAS in 1975, as the regional bloc continues to promote economic cooperation, integration and shared prosperity among its member states. Organisers say initiatives that engage young people are critical to sustaining the vision of a more integrated and economically vibrant West Africa.
ECOWAS@50: Liberian Students Honoured for Essays on Youth Entrepreneurship and Regional Integration
Russia Hosts Classical Music Concert in Abuja to Revive Cultural Ties with Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nigeria has hosted a special classical music concert in Abuja, describing the event as a significant step toward strengthening cultural dialogue and people-to-people relations between Nigeria and Russia.
The event, which drew diplomats, cultural enthusiasts, academics and members of the public, featured performances by three talented young Russian musicians from the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, one of Russia’s most prestigious music institutions.
Speaking at the event, the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podelyshev noted that the concert was organized with the support of the Russkiy Mir Foundation and the Department for Multilateral Humanitarian Cooperation and Cultural Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
According to him, the concert represents the first cultural event of its kind organized by the Russian Embassy in Nigeria in several years and marks an important effort to revive cultural engagement between the two nations.
“This evening is not simply a concert,” the envoy said. “It is an important step toward strengthening cultural dialogue between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Russian Federation. We hope it will mark the beginning of a new tradition that brings our peoples closer through the universal language of music.”
He expressed appreciation to several Nigerian institutions for supporting the initiative, including the National Universities Commission for providing the venue, as well as the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy and the Nigeria Immigration Service for their cooperation.
Special recognition was also given to Abba Music School for its role in coordinating the event and facilitating the participation of the visiting musicians.
The envoy said Russia also hopes to deepen cultural exchange by creating opportunities for Nigerian artists and creative groups to perform in Russia in the future, allowing Russian audiences to experience Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
“We look forward to the day when Nigerian creative groups will visit Russia, enabling our audiences to appreciate the depth, diversity and richness of Nigeria’s culture,” he said.
Guests at the concert were treated to a carefully curated repertoire of classical masterpieces drawn from Russian and global musical traditions, showcasing the technical brilliance and artistry of the visiting performers.
The evening also provided an opportunity for cultural interaction among diplomats, academics, students and music lovers, reinforcing the role of arts and culture in fostering international understanding.
The Russian envoy concluded his remarks by congratulating Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr and thanking guests for attending the event.
Observers noted that the concert reflects a renewed effort by Russia to use cultural diplomacy to deepen engagement with Nigeria, particularly in the areas of education, arts and cultural exchange.
Russia Hosts Classical Music Concert in Abuja to Revive Cultural Ties with Nigeria
Fire destroys 10 shops in Gusau shopping complex
By: Zagazola Makama
A fire outbreak has destroyed ten shops at a shopping complex in Garejin Mai Lena area of Gusau Local Government Area, Zamfara State.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 2:00 a.m. on Thursday, causing extensive property losses valued at millions of naira.
The blaze was brought under control through a joint effort by security operatives and local residents who assisted in putting out the fire.
Authorities confirmed that no lives were lost and no injuries were reported during the incident.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation as efforts continue to assess the full extent of the damage.
Fire destroys 10 shops in Gusau shopping complex
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