Tribute: Kashim Shettima@56

Tribute: Kashim Shettima@56

By: James Bwala

I am Kashim Shettima. I was born on September 2, 1966 and tomorrow is my birthday. September is the beginning of the good season of the year. It was said that those born in September are born great and I am grateful to be a September Child. Today, I return thanks to God Almighty for a foot in my journey to greatness on this accidental pedestrian called politics as I would always say. But in this journey, full of memories that are all good because God has been kind to me. I feel indebted to everyone I come across on this journey of life believing our meetings were divinely arranged.

I have no room or space enough to speak on everything I wish I had time and space to say, However, Let me say that when we started on this course to shape the future of our country, I was rather waiting on the Almighty to take the lead. I am so humbled that he took the lead. My Principal, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu- the burden bearer and yours sincerely have one thing in common and that is to build the future of the next generation of our people. 

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On this day, I will not bother you about the history of this great Nation. I will not bother you with the stories of the many Crosses we have been carrying along with you but I will tell you that the future is bright for all of us. I said this without looking back because history has shown us the kind of a leader we have in Asiwaju by the success stories we heard and witnessed about his administration in Lagos 1999 to 2007 and the legacies he left behind.

In the last 40 years of our political history, the Asiwaju train has been the voice of the masses. I have come to also partake in that succor on our experiences in Borno state when we lead our people through the thickest darkness of the days of insurgency’ and Political struggles. Distance from Maiduguri to Lagos was mere a step in search of the light of hope that has contributed to our success as government on the pages of history.

I have on several occasions had the cause to say thank you to Tinubu for all the lessons learnt under his guidance. For all the advice he has given and for all the support he rendered by standing by us in our hours of need. As a Borno man and standing with over five million Borno people we have moved from one success story to another in the course of time. These are the blessings of Allah and a gift for us as history will not forgive us if we forget to recall some of the experiences we shared between Borno and Lagos State in the dawn of memories.

That I remain loyal to the course of the All Progressive Congress, APC and to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not only about politics but also the brotherly love we shared -The fatherly understanding and the comradeship of the common good. As we look ahead with you around us, the books have been opened about the destiny of Nigeria. Together, we can make history again; we shall lift our flags in the March to a greater Nigeria.

I salute everyone that is standing with us on this victorious road that leads to a new beginning and a promise for a better tomorrow. I choose this day to celebrate Nigerians rather than celebrate myself because in this journey it is not about me but about our common good and with God on our side, the story would as it is written. So shall it be. 

Tribute: Kashim Shettima@56