Kashim Shettima: A Senator’s Score Card

Kashim Shettima: A Senator’s Score Card

By: James Bwala, Maiduguri 

Former Borno state governor and senator representing Borno central at the National Assembly needs no introduction. In February, 2019 he became the winner of the Borno Central Senatorial District election, thereby replacing Senator Babakaka Bashir. Borno Central Senatorial District comprises eight local government areas: Maiduguri, Jere, Konduga, Bama, Maga, Dikwa, Ngala and Kala-Balge. 

Today more than two years since he joined others at the red chambers in steering the affairs of their individual constituencies. However, as the days roll unfolding many revelations about those who are working for their people and those who are not in preparation for the 2023 general election, NEWSng takes to profiling these men of honour at their various chapter and celebrating Kashim Shettima as the Tribune of not only Borno central but Borno state and by extension the common man in Nigeria in his character of standing with the people.

NEWSng reports that, for facts and achievements of the former Borno governor, the Tribune of the Borno people stands taller for integrity, sound judgement and political focus in the more than two years of his taking steps in the red chambers. Putting the bills and motions he sponsored aside, many people have been looking at areas he directly touches on the lives of the ordinary man on the streets. 

Many people whose lives have been changed spoke with Our Correspondents both in Maiduguri and Abuja over those last few days where they all presented the former governor as the defender of the people. And with the enormous challenges of the security situation in Borno state that alone is the greatest achievement for the people in search of peace.

Also Read: SHETTIMA: BETWEEN APC CHAIR AND NIGERIA’S NEXT VICE PRESIDENT

Umar Sidi is a farmer at Zabarmari ward of Jere local government area of Borno state. It could be recalled that some time ago, the farmers in Zabarmari area were attacked on the rice farm where over 70 farmers were slaughtered like chickens by the enemies of the state. 

Sidi told NEWSng that he would never forget that day as he was one of the victims who narrowly escaped the slaughter. Umar Sidi who spoke in ‘Hausa’ described Senator Kashim Shettima as a man worth his salt in running the affairs of his people in the senate. 

According to him, ” We will continue to appreciate his inputs and contributions. As a leader he has shown us great concern before, during and after our trying times when Boko Haram attacked us in our farms. He came along with the governor to strengthen us in our hour of despair. He spoke about us on the floor of the National Assembly and called for help for us. This is aside from his own personal contribution which we received and we will continue to pray for him to succeed.”

Kashim Shettima had moved the motion following the massacre of over 70 rice farmers in Zabarmari area of Jere Local Government Area of Borno. He had also moved the Senate motion calling for the sack of the former service chiefs. 

These were motions painfully taken in the interest of the people and championed by the Borno central senator who put his life on the line and opened his chest for the bullet should one be shot at him. 

His bold moves were at first underrated, misunderstood and seen as challenging the power at the top. But Kashim Shettima chooses to pitch his tent where issues of the people matter rather than hiding or pretending all is well while his people are being crushed by terrorists.

“This has urged his colleagues to resolve to direct the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and relevant government agencies to compensate the families of the farmers killed and provide succour and psychological support to their families.” Sidi said.

Bukar Kurama, is a citizen of Borno state and an indigene of Maiduguri metropolitan Council and a resident of Mafoni. 

Speaking on the achievements of the Borno Central Senator, Bukar Kurama said. ” In Maiduguri over 1000 people have benefitted from the Kashim Shettima constituency project in the last two years and some months. But that is not the only joy of the common man in Borno. 

Also Read: NDLEA intercepts 24, 311kg heroin, codeine in fresh drug busts at Lagos airport, Tincan…

“Kashim Shettima makes Zulum happen and every day we see our governor, we know that if there is anything we need to thank Kashim Shettima for is the fact that he gave us someone who takes to his kind of spirit. 

“Kashim Shettima did not only stop at giving us a governor but he was always there when needed to give advice and ensure he spoke for the people at the National Assembly to make things easy for us in Borno state. Today our governor is the most celebrated in the country and we all owe this to the man we all called the leader.”

He explained that, the beneficiaries were drawn from his senatorial district, comprising eight councils. According to him over 4,000 empowerment tools for sewing, knitting and shoe-making for women in Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps were provided for beneficiaries. 

He said like Kashim Shettima would say, education is the greatest game-changer in any developing society. ” That is why Senator Kashim Shettima has continued to promote programmes on education especially for the Borno child as well as encouraging the government to sustain such programmes, which is now yielding results. 

“Perhaps one would say that the Borno state governor was exaggerating when he said that donations and empowerment given by the Senator was the largest empowerment donation that has been procured to the people of Borno. As a matter of fact, this is not just a word from the governor but going round the IDP camps, the testimony amongst the displaced people is earth shaking.” He said.

It could be recalled that the Senate came to a resolution following the attack on Auno after Senator Kashim Shettima, who is the senator for Borno Central District where Auno village is situated, lamented the massacre on the Maiduguri, Damaturu road. 

The Senator also moved the motion, which demanded provision of proper welfare for security personnel fighting in the frontlines and prime attention to the compensation and welfare of fallen soldiers, saying that would boost the troops’ morale and aid their concentration. He appeared to be on all pages speaking for the downtrodden.

While many had misunderstood him on the motion he moved calling on the removal of the then Service Chiefs, the former Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, defended his motion where his reasons and facts presented was convincing enough to dust tension even within the Service Chief who saw reasons to give way for others to come on board in order also to dust the tension already brewing within the military ranks. 

Even President Muhammadu Buhari had realised that the Senators move was in the best interest of the country, the party and humanity which they were all there to protect.  Kashim a Shettima has always believed that at the time he joined other Nigerians to call for the replacement of the military chiefs despite some of them being his kinsmen and friends were informed by his love for the country. He had also commended President Buhari for “proving that he is a listening leader and one who takes time to carefully make decisions.”

While speaking with former Special Adviser to Kashim Shettima on the achievements of the senator, Alhaji Yusuf Adamu said, Senator Kashim Shettima was rightfully described as the Tribune of Borno. 

According to him, “Senator Kashim Shettima has made a lot of difference in the senate. He advocated for power rotation, he move to engage the executive in decongesting custodial centres, Senator Kashim Shettima has empowered over 1000 youths in Borno central with machines and other trades, he raised panel over child prostitution, abortion in Maiduguri prison and have contributed to flow of ideas in the senate, which makes him one of think tank in the Nigeria’s senate.”

These perhaps may not be exhaustive of Kashim Shettima’s record over the last two years plus as Senator Representing Borno Central in the upper Chamber. His contribution to Nations development has earned him recognition by numerous bodies of thinkers and associations.

Kashim Shettima: A Senator’s Score Card