Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerians to rally behind President Bola Tinubu as he tackles the nation’s economic, security, and political challenges. Shettima made this call during the launch of Professor Modupe Adelabu’s book, Navigating the Politics of Universal Education Policies in Nigeria, held in Abuja on Thursday.
Vice President Shettima spoke passionately about President Tinubu’s commitment to improving Nigeria’s situation, highlighting what he described as the president’s modest lifestyle and sincere dedication. Shettima praised Tinubu’s integrity and said that he is deserving of the nation’s trust.
“In President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we have a leader that we can invest our trust in. I’m not playing politics, I’m speaking from the heart,” Shettima said. He described Tinubu as a leader who genuinely cares about the country’s future and is not motivated by personal gain.
Shettima shared personal anecdotes to illustrate Tinubu’s simplicity and dedication. He recalled his first visit to Tinubu’s residence, expecting a grand mansion but finding instead a modest home. “I was looking forward to seeing a mansion comparable to Buckingham Palace, but there was nothing special about that house. My house in Maiduguri is better than the house in Bourdillon,” Shettima remarked.
Shettima further explained that Tinubu lives a modest life despite his significant role in Nigerian politics. He recounted an instance where, during a meeting, Tinubu chose to eat a simple meal of garri and groundnut instead of the variety of dishes served to the guests. Shettima also mentioned that Tinubu has used the same wristwatch for years and does not concern himself with fashion.
“This man has taken bold steps. The economy that we met was in a huge mess,” Shettima said, acknowledging the tough decisions Tinubu has made since taking office. He praised Tinubu’s courage in implementing policies that, although challenging in the short term, are intended to bring long-term benefits to the country.
Shettima discussed the economic reforms introduced by President Tinubu, noting that they have started to show positive results. He highlighted that Nigeria is now exporting about 1.7 million barrels of oil per day, and the Naira is gradually stabilizing against the dollar. Despite these improvements, Shettima acknowledged that the country is still facing significant food security challenges.
“The economy is now on a path to sustained growth,” Shettima stated, comparing the current situation to a painful but necessary process of childbirth. He expressed optimism that Nigeria’s economic situation would improve significantly in the coming months, thanks to the president’s decisive actions.
The Vice President also touched on the country’s security issues, particularly in the North Central and North West regions, which have been affected by violence and instability. Shettima assured Nigerians that the government is committed to addressing these security concerns and that improvements are expected in the near future.
“We cannot divorce ourselves from the realities in the global space,” Shettima said, acknowledging that Nigeria’s food security crisis is part of a broader global issue. However, he expressed confidence that the government’s efforts would lead to positive changes for the nation.
Shettima urged all Nigerians to support President Tinubu and his administration. He asked citizens to rally around the president, whom he described as a “poor man” in terms of personal wealth but rich in dedication to the nation.
“I want to ask all of us to rally around this poor man,” Shettima said, reinforcing his call for national support for the president’s efforts to bring about meaningful change.