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Tag: Vice President Kashim Shettima

  • Eid-el-Fitr: Shettima preaches unity, peaceful coexistence

    Eid-el-Fitr: Shettima preaches unity, peaceful coexistence

    Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to promote unity, peaceful coexistence, and tolerance as key pillars for national progress, drawing from the lessons of Ramadan.

    Shettima made the call during a luncheon with Borno elders and his schoolmates in celebration of Eid-El-Fitr, in Maiduguri.

    The Vice-President, who was represented by Abdulkadir Rahis, representing Maiduguri Metropolitan Constituency at the House of Representative, emphasised the need for continued harmony among citizens.

    Shettima also called on everyone to support President Bola Tinubu administration’s ongoing economic reforms, assuring them that short-term difficulties would yield long-term benefits for the country.

    ”We thank the Almighty Allah for sparing our lives to witness this Eid-El-Fitr.

    ”I wish to also say that we should all perfect, maintain, and build on the sense of unity that exists among us for our collective gain and progress as a gift for one another.

    “President Tinubu remains committed to implementing policies that will create sustainable development for all Nigerians.

    ”Just as Ramadan teaches endurance, we ask for your continued patience as these necessary reforms take root and bear fruit,” he said.

    The Vice-President further urged Nigerians to continue to embibe the spiritual lessons gained during Ramadan as a pathway to national development.

    “Peaceful coexistence is very important and we should not relent in maintaining that virtue. It will go a long way in bringing about the development of ourselves and the nation,” he said.

    Shettima enjoined the citizens of Borno and Nigerians in general to always maintain traits of humility and communal living, in line with the teachings of the Holy books.

    Sen. Kaka Shehu-Lawan, SAN, (APC-Borno Central), who prayed for lasting peace in the country, urged Nigerians to rally round Tinubu as the father of the nation.

    He stressed that the President needed  the prayers and support of Nigerians to enable him implement good policies that would  improve the economy and overall development of Nigeria.

    Shehu-Lawan urged his constituents to imbibe the attributes of  Vice-President Shettima.

    ”His Excellency the Vice President is an epitome of leadership, sacrifice, resilience, integrity, perseverance and above all, courage.

    “So, I will like my constituents and indeed people of Borno and Nigerians at large to emulate his virtues. He is a leader and we are proud of his achievements” he said.

    The lawmaker thanked the Vice-President for hosting his schoolmates and elders of the  State in his usual magnanimity and demonstration of love.

    “In his usual show of love every festive period, the Vice President extends hands of fellowship to all and sundry from Maiduguri Metropolitan Council to Borno Central District and by extension the entire state” he said.

    On his part, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, commended the Vice-President for his show of love, especially to the needy, despite his tight schedule.

    ” When he is in Abuja, his schedule is overwhelming, yet he always finds time for his people.

    ” Seeing the joyful faces of his classmates, elders, and other guests at this event is a testament to his character.”

    The minister said the Vice-President’s humility has endeared him to his people, adding that he was  a man of good character and extreme humility.

    Responding, the Chairman of the Borno  Elders Forum, Alhaji Gambo Gubio, expressed appreciation for the Vice-President’s hospitality and assured him of continued prayers for success in his duties.

  • Shettima to deliver lecture at 13th Al-Hikmah varsity convocation

    Shettima to deliver lecture at 13th Al-Hikmah varsity convocation

    Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday arrived Ilorin to deliver the 13th Convocation lecture of the Al-Hikmah University, an Islamic faith based institution.

    Shettima will speak on the topic: “Addressing Nigeria’s Food Security Challenge Through Hi-Tech Approach: The Role of Nigerian Universities”.

    The vice president will before delivering the lecture inaugurate a Nursing Science Complex named after him at the main campus of the university.

    On arrival at the Ilorin International Airport, Shettima was received by Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara; the Vice-Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Prof. Noah Yusuf; Founder of the university, Alhaji Abdulrahim Oladimeji, and members of the governing council of the institution.

    The vice-chancellor disclosed that as part of efforts to contribute to food security in Nigeria, the university launched the Green Campus Initiative on Aug. 23.

    Yusuf explained that the initiative involved planting of 50,000 tree seedlings at the Faculty of Agriculture, Igbaja campus.

    “The activities of our Centre for Peace and Security Studies are also worthy of mentioning.

    “We shall appreciate the support of government at all levels and other stakeholders to support us in this mission of providing practicable and lasting solution to the nation’s security challenge,” he said.

    He said eminent Nigerians among the graduands included the Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun; and Chief of Staff to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Amb. Ibrahim Gambari.

    “Also we have a total of 1,584 graduates, comprising 1,207 Undergraduates, 343 Postgraduates and 31 Diploma Certificate holders.

    “Out of the Undergraduates, 26 had First Class, 472 – Second Class Upper, 600 – Second Class Lower and 109 -Third Class.

    ”For the Post Graduate graduands, 27 were Ph.D while 213 were Masters graduands,” he said.

  • FG commits to agricultural transformation – Shettima

    FG commits to agricultural transformation – Shettima

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to transform agriculture as pathway to curb insecurity and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

    Shettima said this on Monday in a statement by Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President, on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President.

    Shettima, who spoke with the official of an American company, John Deere in the United States, said that, “without mechanisation you can never be truly self-sufficient in food production.”

    He also said that Tinubu’s administration was fully committed to revitalising the Nigerian agricultural sector.

    “And for us to be self-sufficient in food production, three key elements are essential. First is certified seeds, then mechanisation, provision of fertiliser and of course, agricultural extension services”.

    He explained that the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) was designed to provide the infrastructure, platform and framework for the private sector.

    This, according to him, will enable private sector to add value to Nigeria’s agricultural produce for domestic, regional market and for the global community.

    Shettima assured investors that Nigeria was open for partnership, adding that, “we are open for discussions, for conversations towards fast tracking the whole process.

    “My principal, President Tinubu, is very eager to see that the full potential of the Nigerian agricultural sector is realised.

    “The President declared a food security emergency in August this year, fundamentally anchored on the fact that we are exposed to all the volatility in the world.

    “We are vulnerable, we are exposed. This is why we are putting in place the mechanisms towards addressing challenges in the sector and we cannot afford to do otherwise.”

    Earlier, the company’s Vice President on Production Systems, Mr Jason Brantley, said it had resolved to set up a tractor assembly plant in Nigeria.

    Brantley expressed hope that the project would unlock Nigeria’s agricultural potentials by creating an organised approach to tractor-clearing services for smallholder farmers across the country.

    He said the initiative to establish tractor assembly plant would require zero investment from the government.

    “While credit guarantees will be needed to help make credit available at an affordable rate for interested persons or groups,” he said.

    Brantley also expressed the company’s readiness to engage relevant authorities in Nigeria, with a view to actualising the objective of establishing the assembly plant.

    The meeting which was facilitated by the Chairman of the Flour Mills of Nigeria, Mr John Coumantaros, also had in attendance the Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari.

    Others are the Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Amb. Lot Egopija, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity, Dr Kingsley Uzoma, among others.

  • VP Shettima represents President Tinubu at 15th BRICS summit

    VP Shettima represents President Tinubu at 15th BRICS summit

    Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima is in Johannesburg, South Africa, representing President Bola Tinubu at the 15th BRICS Summit.

    This annual gathering brings together influential leaders from the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—as well as numerous other dignitaries eager to join the alliance.

    The summit taking place from Tuesday August 22 to 24 at the Sandton Convention Centre, will address crucial global topics such as trade and investment facilitation, sustainable development, innovation, and reforming global governance.

    This year’s discussions include a focus on de-dollarization, seeking to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar and promote the use of national currencies in global trade.

    With an agenda that extends beyond economic matters, the summit also aims to foster geopolitical dialogue and enhance trade and infrastructure development.

    BRICS, representing over 42 per cent of the global population, 30 per cent of the world’s landmass, 23 per cent of the global economy, and 18 per cent of worldwide trade, is committed to reshaping the international political, economic, and financial landscape.

    Notable attendees include South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, China’s President Xi Jinping, Brazil’s President Luiz Lula da Silva, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    Additionally, seventy-three distinguished guests, including the United Nations Secretary-General, the African Union Commission Chairperson, and the President of the New Development Bank, have been invited.

    Accompanied by senior government officials, Vice President Shettima is expected to return to the country at the weekend.

  • Nigeria revives river basin authority for food security boost

    Nigeria revives river basin authority for food security boost

    The Nigerian government has announced plans to revitalize the country’s River Basin Development Authorities to enhance food production and support citizens’ livelihoods.

    Vice President Kashim Shettima made the announcement on Monday during a panel discussion titled “Innovative Financing for Food Systems Transformation” at the ongoing UN Food Systems Summit +2 in Rome, Italy.

    Shettima said the Tinubu-led administration is committed to repositioning Nigeria, and a commodity marketing board has also been established to monitor food prices continuously.

    “We are determined to invest in agriculture, fundamentally because the whole mantra is increase in yield because the entrepreneurial capitalism is embedded in the very psyche of the average Nigerian.

    “But while we have 133 million Nigerians suffering from multi-dimensional poverty, our people lack the wherewithal to go up in the ladder of development,” the Vice President said.

    By prioritizing agriculture and enhancing the security situation, the Nigerian government aims to transform the nation’s food systems for the better.

    Sharing Somalia’s experience, President Hassan Mohamud discussed the country’s emergence from years of absence and the challenges it faces, including overcoming insecurity posed by terrorists that hindered farmers’ access to their farms.

    Despite these difficulties, Somalia has made progress by defeating Al-Shabab in various areas and is experiencing improved weather conditions for agriculture.

    President Mohamud emphasized the need for a new and creative model for financing food systems in fragile countries like Somalia, as traditional financing models may not be sufficient.

    Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, highlighted Africa’s unique challenges, including armed conflicts, climate change, and terrorism.

    He called for aggressive funding approaches to ensure sufficient food production and surplus for export.

    Similarly, the Prime Minister of Niger, Ouhoudou Mahamadou, shared the challenges his country faces and the experiences in mobilizing funds for food systems transformation.

    The ongoing UN Food Systems Summit +2 provides a unique platform for nations to collaborate and address critical issues in food production and security.

    The panel discussion emphasized the importance of innovative financing and strategic investments in agriculture to drive sustainable growth and development across the African continent.