National News

Shettima’s Remarks And The Limits Of Mischief

Published

3 years ago

June 12, 2023

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Shettima’s Remarks And The Limits Of Mischief

By: Inuwa Bwala

Vice President Kashim Shettima is a wordsmith, when it comes to speaking the English language. And I am confident that he could never have used the language inappropriately to refer to people.
One does not even have to wait for any official rebuttal to the obvious mischief, which seems to pitch him against fellow Northern Muslims or his fans.
Shettima spins the English language so perfectly: often more than he could of Hausa or his native Kanuri language.
One can fault Kashim Shettima on any other front but not on self expression in English, and even the reporter who first authored that piece of mischief must have struggled for long with how best to twist Shettima’s remarks out of context.
I thought those who take pleasure in dragging the Vice President into unnecessary controversies should have been thrown out of business, with their several futile attempts. I know they may be getting tired by now, seeing that, such a trade in not fashionable yet they do not want to cave in to reason.
Even those who read it at first, did not believe he disparaged fellow Northern Muslims, by saying what he was reported to have said.
My colleagues who were kind enough to seek for clarifications have since discarded the report as a piece of mischief, but those wanting to satisfy their paymasters syndicated it in the media.
knowing that he could not have said what he was quoted to have said, during that parley with people seeking for his intervention in the race for the Senate Presidency, the press became an obvious resort.
I know as a matter of fact that, Kashim Shettima is passionate about the renewed hope agenda of his principal, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but could not degenerate so low as to utter such obscene remarks, just to score political points.
Even if Shettima had spoken in Hausa, which he often jokes as not having adequately mastered or any other language, such words attributed to him were completely out of his character.
But even pundits of the English language will agree with me that. Senator Shettima’s mastery of the language and his perfect blend of words, is next to none, and he could not have derailed because of any audience.
Against this background I wish to reproduce verbatim the official reaction of the Vice President’s media handler Abiola Shola: “Reports of Shettima’s Appeal for Southern Senate President in Context

During an interactive session with senators campaigning for the emergence of Senator Godswill Akpabio and Senator Barau Jibrin to lead the 10th Senate, yesterday, Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasized the nation’s current political structure and made a case for the emergence of a Southern Christian and a Northern Muslim as the fairest balance to promote inclusivity at the centre.

Vice President Shettima’s statement was motivated by a profound awareness of the divisive factors within our great nation and was in harmony with the governing party’s pledge to ensure inclusivity across all regions and among all groups. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has wholeheartedly reassured the country of his dedication to providing every group with equal representation, which has resonated with the Vice President who shares the same commitment to this honourable endeavour.

Unfortunately, the Vice President’s remarks during the parley with the senators, yesterday, have been stripped of context and mischievously circulated as an attempt to minimize the suitability of Muslim contestants in the race for the Senate leadership. The remarks have not only been taken out of context but also misinterpreted to suit an agenda that sabotages our collective bid for unity.

What Vice President Shettima advocated during the meeting was that, considering Nigeria’s President and Vice President are Muslims, it would not be ill-advised for the lawmakers to choose a non-Muslim contestant, even if against a more qualified Muslim option, in order to achieve balance. It is alarming that such an unambiguous plea has been unfairly misconstrued to imply that the Vice President said the most incompetent Christian candidate is superior to a Muslim candidate. One can understand why this absurd interpretation would be found distressing and hijacked by those with a malicious agenda to push.

Vice President Shettima’s position reflects the stance of the APC, which has not only assigned the leadership of the House of Representatives to the North-West but has also designated the position of Deputy Senate President to be held by the same region. At the time of the Vice President’s remarks, approximately three contenders for the Speakership race had withdrawn their candidacy to support the candidate from the North-West. This well-considered balancing strategy aimed to mitigate the potential for crisis within the country, particularly by those anticipating the domination of leadership from the same religious faith in all branches of government as a signal.

It would be illogical for the Vice President, who is himself a Muslim and an essential member of the community, to second-guess the competence of fellow Muslims in a nation headed by a Muslim President who has demonstrated unmatched leadership qualities, on the strength of which they were elected under the banner of the APC last February.

The Vice President wishes to distance himself from the wrong and dangerous inferences drawn by the public from his remarks. While some are made innocently and without mischief, there are entities that have seized on the story to cause further chaos that transcends the realm of power politics. This weaponization of our divisions is why the Vice President appeals for inclusivity to prevent any agenda designed to undermine the new government and Nigeria as a whole.

Before the media interface, the Vice President became aware that some entities and individuals were covertly pushing for Muslim leadership of the National Assembly with the sole aim of using the instance to legitimize their grievances against the Nigerian state and to prove to their communities that they have been marginalized and must rise to cause chaos. This sheds light on the paradoxical situation where the same lawmakers who opposed a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket are now actively campaigning for political arrangements that would result in Muslims occupying all the highest four or five positions in the country.

The covert intent of their actions is evident to astute observers of our politics. This is the dimension to which our politics has descended, a dimension that does not align with President Tinubu’s and the APC’s vision of a Nigeria for all, which is the promise that propelled this government to power even when some interest groups attempted to mischaracterize the APC ticket.

The senators who met with the Vice President are known as the Stability Group, a group of 77 patriots who have signed up for the Akpabio/Barau ticket and believe the pair would represent the interests of the nation and the party. The group is neither an ethnic nor religious group but a collection of well-intentioned senators with a convincing solution to Nigeria’s stability dilemma, as their name implies.

The Vice President remains grateful to the media outlets that have seen through the mischaracterization and have been able to provide context to those who missed it. We are at a critical point in our nation and cannot afford to lose our focus because of mischief-makers obsessed with starting a fire where there is none. Vice President Shettima remains grateful to those who have read beyond newspaper click bait and those who have given him the benefit of the doubt and remain allies for the betterment of the country”.

Shettima’s Remarks And The Limits Of Mischief

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National News

Koranic recitation described as a symbol of unity among Muslims

Published

2 days ago

December 16, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Koranic recitation described as a symbol of unity among Muslims

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Governor Babagana Zulum has described the on going koranic recitation ceremony going on in Maiduguri as a symbol of unity for Muslims in the country.

The Governor commended the organizers of the “Musabaqah foundation” for hosting such an important program in Borno at this critical period of the history of the state adding that it will further unite the people.

He noted that the exercise last hosted in Borno in 1986 and coming back now is indeed of special significance to “Yerwa” land which has been a centre of Islamic excellence for over 1000 years and still counting.

Engr. Zulum commended his colleagues the Governors of Gombe Kebbi and Yobe states respectively for showing special interests in the recitation competition which has become a sound breeding ground for instilling discipline and leadership among young people in the country.

The Governor prayed that the competition would become a source of blessing for the region even as he pledged the sum of N120m on behalf of all his colleagues in the north east zone of Nigeria.

In his remarks Governor of Gombe Inua Yahaya regretted that islam was under threat in the region and a lot has to be done to reverse the damnation posed by these enemies by way of terrorism or in whatever name they come.

The Governor who is the chair of the northern governors forum called on muslims in the north to work hard and erase the negative image associated with their religion adding that such a damping image was of no special interest to the people.

Key note speaker, Prof Ibrahim Umara, of the political science department of university of Maiduguri (unimaid) traced the ancestry of the Kanuri people and their walk with islam over the centuries adding that kanuri are ancestors of the famous Nubia civilization before Bernin Kebbi, kukawa then Maiduguri.

The scholar averred that it was Kanem Borno empire that actually converted the Hausa people to Islam having contacted islam 1400 years ago and still counting.

Vc Usman Dan Fodio University, Prof Bashir Garba in his remarks called for more support to the centre for Islamic studies in his university so that the sponsorship of the competition can continue.

Shehu of Borno also appreciated Governor Zulum for hosting the event which was held last in 1986.

He remarked that discipline is one virtue which the competition is trying to achieve which is why the competition is commendable.

He equally posited that unity will also be achieved in the process of competition among the young folks coming up to become leaders of tomorrow.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Tijani Bukar who is also chair of the local organizing committee (LOC) however prayed that God will soon grant absolute peace to the state adding that the entire program will be successful as expected.

The 40th anniversary of the national Koranic recitation which started in 1985 is being hosted at the Indimi hall unimaid and will last for ten days and ends on Saturday for the grand finale.

Also present at the occasion was a representative of Governor of Yobe Mai Mala Buni, Dr Mohammed Bakura, Barrister Jamal Akintunde, Prof Adam Mustapha, traditional rulers and chief imams from across the region and many others from the university community.

Koranic recitation described as a symbol of unity among Muslims

National News

Tinubu Happy With PAP’s Scholarship Scheme, Stakeholders’ Engagement, Peacebuilding Process – Otuaro

Published

2 days ago

December 16, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Tinubu Happy With PAP’s Scholarship Scheme, Stakeholders’ Engagement, Peacebuilding Process – Otuaro

•••Says 4500 Students Deployed In Varsities In Nigeria In 2025

By: Michael Mike

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has said that President Bola Tinubu is happy with the significant achievements recorded by the agency in the Niger Delta in about two years.

He spoke at the flag-off of the fourth batch of the two-day “Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Mediation Training for PAP Stakeholders” organised by the agency in collaboration with the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC) at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, on Monday.

The PAP had in July and August 2025 successfully conducted a similar capacity-building workshop for three batches of its stakeholders at the same military facility.

Otuaro, who said the President is delighted with the agency’s expanded scholarship scheme, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and peacebuilding process in the Niger Delta, urged stakeholders to maintain their position as key players in the region’s peace and development.

According to him, His Excellency, President Tinubu is very supportive of the programme because of his strong desire for the region to enjoy sustainable peace, stability and development.

He reiterated that the workshop is a vital component of the PAP’s peace process with all stakeholders as important partners in the peace initiative.

He stressed that the participants are not only partners for peace, but also the President’s peace ambassadors.

The PAP boss also applauded the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his strategic support to strengthen the programme’s initiatives and enable it to achieve the intended objectives for the people of the region.

While declaring the workshop open, Otuaro said, “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, is very happy with what we have achieved so far in one year and nine months. As stakeholders, you should continue to be key players in the peace and development of the Niger Delta, which His Excellency has been very supportive of and desirous of.

“The objective behind this training is to ensure that all of us are partners in every peace effort in the Niger Delta. This initiative is also to give you a sense of belonging.

“When we organised this workshop in July and August this year, we assured stakeholders that more people would also participate in the training. We don’t want to do the PAP’s work alone. It is a process of putting our heads together to ensure that the region is peaceful and united. When we are united, Mr President will do more for the region.

“We must also realise that peace starts from our communities; you all are leaders in your own rights. I know and acknowledge the support that the Office has received since we came on board. This leadership workshop is part of our peacebuilding process and is designed to ensure that peace is sustained in our region.

“Since we came on board, we have redirected the Programme towards our people and for the next generation. We have achieved a lot. This 2025-2026 academic session, we have sent 4,500 students, our future leaders, on scholarships to universities within Nigeria. We are doing this to invest in the future of our region.”

Otuaro said that his leadership would not be distracted by the smear campaign of some anti-Niger Delta elements who were angry that the programme had been taken to the people of the region, saying “nobody will hold the region to ransom.”

He further urged stakeholders not to be manipulated by political merchants, but to massively support President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid because of his clear agenda for the region.

Otuaro enjoined the stakeholders to participate actively in the workshop and utilise the lessons they would gain to strengthen peace and development in their communities and the Niger Delta in general.

He also expressed appreciation to the management of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, resource persons, and the President of AANDEC, Rear Admiral Ndidi Agholor (retd.), for partnering with the PAP to deepen the peace process in the region.

Tinubu Happy With PAP’s Scholarship Scheme, Stakeholders’ Engagement, Peacebuilding Process – Otuaro

National News

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

Published

5 days ago

December 13, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

By: Michael Mike

The DG/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote has approved the promotion of 523 Staff of the Commission.

The promotion, according to a statement on Saturday by the spokesperson of the Commission, Dr. Kayode Adegoke is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Adegoke said: “This is a statutory part of the performance reward system for Staff who sat and met the pre-requisite conditions as spelt out in the Public Service Rules (PSR) in the 2025 promotion exercise.

He disclosed that accordingly, two staff members were promoted to the Director’s cadre (GL 17), and eight staff members moved to the Deputy Director cadre (GL 16) and 35 staff staff members promoted to the Assistant Director cadre (GL 15).

He further disclosed that 35 staff were promoted to the level of Chief Identity Officers (GL 14), with 109 moving to Assistant Chief Identity Officers (GL 13).

Adegoke said 113 officers moved to the rank of Principal Identity Officer (GL 12), while 82 were promoted to Senior Identity Officer ranks (GL 10), and 130 to the rank of Identity Officer 1 ( GL 9).

The DG/CEO congratulated all the promoted staff and charged them to see the promotion as an opportunity to serve the country better. She reiterated zero tolerance for extortion and warned staff to desist from it.

Engr Coker-Odusote, furthermore, encouraged all staff members of the Commission to work harder in the coming year 2026 and ensure the successful implementation of the National Identification Number project. She reiterated her commitment to prioritise staff welfare and ensure the dignity of labour.

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members