Edo State Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, has described Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, as the most suitable for the Governor of the Year award owing to his leadership skills and courage in managing the Boko Haram insurgency in his state.
Oshiomhole stated this last Friday night while responding to an award he received from Vanguard Newspapers as one of the Governors of the Year, 2015, which the newspaper awarded to four governors: Kashim Shettima (Borno), Hassan Dankwambo (Gombe), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Oshiomhole (Edo) at this year’s edition of Vanguard Personality Awards tagged: ‘The Torchbearers” held at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island in Lagos.
President Muhammadu Buhari and former President Goodluck Jonathan received the ‘Personality of the Year awards’ while former Vice President Alex Ekwueme received life time achievement award.
“If I was asked to vote among ourselves, to choose one governor who should be really voted for tonight, l will without any reservation vote for Governor Shettima of Borno State because the truth is that it is quite challenging to manage even in a peaceful environment and each time we hear that they have exploded bombs (they are killing children, they are killing women) we expect to see a governor who is wallowing himself in pity, joining his people to cry as if there will be no tomorrow but in Governor Shettima, every bomb blast reinforces his determination to fight and defeat the forces of darkness. He has efficiently made a difficult job look so easy We in Edo State admire Shettima so much and as I have said, if I were to vote, I will add my honour to his own because he has shown that the devil is a liar. I congratulate you, I am happy for you and I am happy for the people of Borno State and we in Edo State are hoping that you prevail,” Oshiomhole said.
Speaking further, the Edo State governor recalled, “Around this time last year or a little earlier than that, Shettima had the courage to speak truth to power, that the government was not doing enough, that insurgents were more armed and even more motivated. He spoke to power when it was dangerous to do so. Each time I see men of courage, I feel more reinforced myself, so I congratulate you, Shettima.
President Buhari, who for his resilience in politics, was represented by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, while Jonathan, receieved an award for his political maturity in conceding defeat in the aftermath of the 2015 presidential elections, was represented by a former Minister of Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye.
Other recipients including Shettima, Dankwambo, Amosun, Ekwueme, Jim Ovia of the Zenith were at the event in persons.
The founder and Chairman of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka, said the company initiated the Personality Awards in 2013 “to celebrate exceptional achievers” in various fields with the aim of inspiring other Nigerians to make the country better.
