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RANDOM MUSING ON KASHIM SHETTIMA @58
RANDOM MUSING ON KASHIM SHETTIMA @58
By: Inuwa Bwala
Kashim Shettima, the vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, wanted a low-key birthday anniversary, but it is like trying to cover a bushel with bare palms.
For a person of Shettimas fame, he can not avoid being celebrated; especially by people, whose lives he may have positively affected: and I am one of them.
When I saw the notice by his spokesman, I smiled to myself and said, “If the vice president does not want to be celebrated on his birthday, then let him stop being good to people”.
Many people may not have the financial capacity to place adverts in newspapers or run radio and television messages, neither are there cakes to cut nor champagne to pop, but definitely, many people will mark the date in their own different ways.
I am not surprised at what I have seen so far, coming from different people this morning alone.
Kashim Shettima is like the parabolical baobab tree: you I can only analyze the portion visible to you, while others view it from their own positions.
From whichever position one looks at him, one can not miss the fact that Kashim Shettima is richly endowed, intellectually, politically; perhaps economically, and has a rich religious background. He is always passionate, humble, statemanly, philanthropic, flamboyant in appearance, and an oratorial delight in speech.
I stand to be corrected, but I think Kashim Shettima is one of the most widely connected politicians north of the Niger today, which accounts for why so many people loath his emergence as the political oracle, in the region, so to say.
At 58, Kashim Shettima is a mite younger, by months, but we have come a long way since our paths crossed.
To those of us, who are his peers, his friends, his school mates and his subordinates, Kashim Shettima is a rendezvous of sorts, as he has the contacts of virtually everybody whose paths crossed his and he reaches out periodically, as a reminder that he has not grown above us, even as the Vice President.
It is therefore difficult for him to shut us out even as he clocks 58 because we have been innaundating him with telephone calls and messages since yesterday and he has been promptly responding.
Having worked under him, in the process of which we sometimes disagreed, I must confess that I am yet to meet a boss who regards me more as a friend and brother than as a subordinate. Even in his present capacity, he calls to inquire about ones welbeing. He leaves his doors wide open whenever one visits.
At 58, he has risen from a humble background to become a national icon and a mentor to so many people.
As I join fellow Nigerians to celebrate our dear Vice President, it is my hope that you continue to be blessed with good health, strength, and wisdom, in serving Nigeria.
Happy 58th Birthday to His Excellency the Vice President, of the Federal Repiblic if Nigeria, Distinguished Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON.
RANDOM MUSING ON KASHIM SHETTIMA @58
ISWAP evacuates 15 bodies, abandons VBIED after failed attack on New Marte
By: Zagazola Makama
At least 15 dead bodies of suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters were hastily evacuated by their comrades after a failed midnight assault on New Marte in Borno State.
Zagazola Makama gathered from impeccable sources that the insurgents, on about 20 motorcycles had launched a coordinated attack on troops in New Marte at about 1:35 a.m. on Tuesday. They arrived on motorcycles and with a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), apparently aimed at breaching the battalion’s defences.
However, the combined firepower of Nigerian troops under Operation Hadin Kai, supported by the Nigerian Air Force Air Component, overwhelmed the attackers. The VBIED, meant to cause maximum damage, was abandoned by the terrorists as they fled under sustained fire and aerial bombardment.
According to intelligence sources, the retreating insurgents made desperate efforts to evacuate their dead and wounded, managing to flee with at least 15 corpses of their fighters while leaving behind several destroyed motorcycles and heavy blood trails at the New Marte airstrip.
“They came in like a swarm, heavily armed, and used a VBIED to lead the charge. But once our troops responded and the air component came in, they were completely overwhelmed. They abandoned the VBIED and began dragging their casualties into the bush. From what we tracked, at least 15 bodies were evacuated. It was a major blow to them.”the sources said.
The source added that aerial surveillance and ground exploitation confirmed that several motorcycles used for the assault were destroyed in the process, while others were left behind due to the rapid counter-offensive.
Two Nigerian soldiers lost their lives during the encounter, while one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle sustained tyre damage and a gun truck was partially hit.
In a related incident, troops also foiled an attempted incursion by ISWAP fighters on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kumshe, where the terrorists were again repelled after a fierce exchange of fire. Some terrorists were believed to have been neutralised during the encounter.
ISWAP evacuates 15 bodies, abandons VBIED after failed attack on New Marte
FRSC staff kidnapped in Jos
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces say it has launched a search-and-rescue operation to free a kidnapped female staff of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Jos South Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that on May 26 at about 5:30 a.m., armed hoodlums invaded the resident in Rantya community and abducted one Kate Jonathan Akpabio, who is a staff member of the FRSC in Jos.
Army troops and other security agencies were mobilised to the scene upon receiving the distress call. A preliminary investigation confirmed that the assailants took the victim to an unknown destination before security forces arrived.
FRSC staff kidnapped in Jos
Gunmen kill two, injure three in fresh Bokkos attack
By: Zagazola Makama
Atleast two persons killed while three others injured during an attack on Mbor village, Mushere District, Bokkos Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred in the early hours of May 26, when gunmen stormed the village at about 12:50 a.m. and opened fire indiscriminately.
The sources said as a result of the attack, two persons Jephthah Gretchen, and Juliet Jephthah, were shot and killed on the spot,” he said.
“Three others, identified as Mary Ishaku, Ishaku Ngumut and Nanbam Sunday, sustained varying degrees of injuries.” he added.
The injured victims were rushed to Luna Hospital for medical attention.
The corpses of the deceased were released to their families for burial after relatives declined a request for post-mortem examination.
The sources said reinforcement has been deployed to the community to restore calm and track down the perpetrators.
Gunmen kill two, injure three in fresh Bokkos attack
ISWAP evacuates 15 bodies, abandons VBIED after failed attack on New Marte
FRSC staff kidnapped in Jos
Gunmen kill two, injure three in fresh Bokkos attack
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