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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
Breaking: Kanu fails to open defence, cites former counsel’s retention of case file
By: Zagazola Makama
The detained leader of the proscribed separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday failed to open his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu attributed his inability to present his defence to the failure of his former legal team, led by former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Kanu Agabi, to hand over his case file, preventing him from adequately preparing.
The defendant was initially slated to open his defence on Thursday but instead announced the sacking of his legal team and requested a short adjournment until Friday.
On Friday, the prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), informed the court that the case was scheduled for Kanu to open his defence. When called, Kanu informed the court he could not proceed as those responsible for delivering his case file to the Department of State Services (DSS) facility, where he is being held, had failed to do so.
Kanu prayed for an adjournment until Monday, October 27, to access the case file and familiarise himself with its contents. He further stated he was expecting witnesses from the United Kingdom, the United States, Kenya, and Ethiopia, and requested an order allowing him to meet with them over the weekend for preparation.
The court granted his request, instructing the DSS to allow Kanu receive visitors on Saturday and Sunday. Justice James Omotosho adjourned the trial till October 27 for Kanu to open his defence, warning that the six days initially granted for his defence, which began on October 23, will not be extended.
Breaking: Kanu fails to open defence, cites former counsel’s retention of case file
Farmer injured in herders’ attack in Konduga
By: Zagazola Makama
A farmer has been hospitalized after sustaining severe machete wounds in an attack by suspected herders at Jakana Village, Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when a group of herders reportedly led their cattle into a beans farm belonging to locals and grazed on the crops.
During an attempt by Mohammad Ali Fantami, 30, of Kadamari Lamboa bush, to drive the cattle away, one of the herders allegedly attacked him with a machete, severing his left hand and inflicting deep cuts on his neck before escaping.
The victim was evacuated to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), where he is said to be responding to treatment.
Efforts are ongoing to trace and apprehend the perpetrators as investigations continue into the incident.
End
Troops repel another ISWAP ambush, recover arms, motorcycles in Magumeri
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai have foiled a series of ambush attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists along the Damasak–Gubio road in Magumeri axis of Borno State.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the troops, who were on a fighting patrol as part of Operation Desert Sanity IV, came under fire from suspected terrorists on arrival at Binduldul.
Sources stated that the troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the terrorists to flee in disarray. Reinforcements led by the Commanding Officer of the Battalion later exploited the scene, recovering two motorcycles, one AK-47 rifle, five blankets, three praying mats, a spare motorcycle tyre and two gallons of engine oil.
The sources added that one terrorist was neutralised during the encounter.
Furthermore, at about 3:05 p.m. on the same day, while withdrawing from the area, the troops encountered another ambush involving an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack followed by heavy gunfire from ISWAP fighters near Kardio village.
The soldiers successfully repelled the assault, safely detonated another IED along their main supply route, and returned to base without any casualty.
Photographs from the operation indicated successful recovery of items and neutralisation of threats in the area.
Troops repel another ISWAP ambush, recover arms, motorcycles in Magumeri
Breaking: Kanu fails to open defence, cites former counsel’s retention of case file
Decomposed body of kidnapped man found in mining pond in Jos South
Man abducted after delivering ransom for kidnapped child in Kogi
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