*Relocation for the interest of the generality of Nigerians, VP insists
*Says Ododo will provide good governance in Kogi
Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja
Vice President Kashim Shettima has faulted the position of those opposing the federal government’s decision to relocate some departments and units of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from Abuja to Lagos, describing them as mischief makers.
Shettima, who spoke yesterday as a Special Guest of Honour at the 10th Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture and Merit Awards in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, said the relocation was in the interest of Nigerians.
This is just as the vice president expressed absolute confidence of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the ability of the new Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ododo, to deliver the dividends of good governance to the people of the state.
Speaking in Maiduguri, the vice president said President Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ would not make any policy or decision to be sectional, or at the detriment of some geographical location of the country.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the vice president said the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto of blessed memory lived a worthy life of emulation for the betterment of the North and the country as a whole.
Speaking on the theme: ‘Creating Pathways for Peace: Tackling Banditry and Insurgency through Good Governance for Sustainable Development in Nigeria’, Shettima commended the members of the Foundation for not only choosing Borno State as the venue for the lecture, but also for the theme, which he said, is apt and timely, given the numerous security challenges affecting the state, the North-east, and the country in general.
He said: “The event, in line with President Tinubu’s vision, has brought about many critical stakeholders, including traditional rulers to collectively brainstorm and chart a new way forward in bringing lasting solutions to end insecurity, banditry, kidnapping, poverty, corruption and all other social vices in the region and the nation in general.
“Recently, there were those opposing the federal government’s decision over the planned relocation of some departments and units of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from Abuja to Lagos. I want to reassure the people of the North that the move is in the interest of the generality of Nigerians.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ would not make any policy or decision that would be sectional, or at the detriment of some geographical location of the nation; therefore, those opposing the relocation process of some of the departments should desist, or else they are acting as mischief makers,” Shettima stated.
In his speech, the Chairman, Board of Trustee of Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, and former governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, said, the gathering was to commemorate the significant milestone and enduring legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello, whose vision and leadership continue to inspire northerners in their quest for a better Nigeria.
The Guest Speaker, Professor Tijjani Mohammed Banded, whose paper dwelled extensively on tackling insecurity through good governance, suggested that “for the North to have sustainable development, all hands must be on deck with those in government to rebuild trust and work for peacebuilding, provision of quality education, modernisation of agriculture, building infrastructures, rebuilding civil service and building credible media.”
The Chairman of the occasion, Gombe State Governor, who is also the Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum, Inuwa Yahaya, said the Foundation, since inception, has played a greater role in creating peace, unity and progress’ amongst Nigerians, describing these as some of the legacies of late Sir Ahmadu Bello.
He promised that the 19 state governors would continue to support the sustainability of the Foundation.
Also, the Chief Hosts, Governor Babagana Zulum and the Shehu of Borno, Dr Abubakar Ibn-Umar Garbai Al Amin El-Kanemi commended the organisers for choosing Borno as the venue, pointing out that it would accord the people an opportunity to proffer lasting solutions to the insecurity and poverty ravaging the state and the entire North.
Ododo will Provide Good Governance in Kogi, Says Shettima
In another development, Shettima has expressed absolute confidence in President Tinubu’s administration in the ability of the new governor of Kogi State, Ododo, to deliver the dividends of good governance to the people.
Shettima spoke yesterday at the inauguration of Ododo and Salifu Joel Oyibo as the governor and deputy governor of Kogi State, respectively, at the Muhammadu Buhari Square in Lokoja, the state capital.
According to him, the change of baton would not disrupt the dividends of good governance, noting that “Kogi State remains bound by the ideals and promises of a unified council of leaders and the largest party in Africa, the All Progressives Congress (APC)”.
Delivering his speech titled: ‘Standing Together, Standing for the People,’ the vice president conveyed what he described as the heartfelt goodwill of President Tinubu to the people of Kogi State, saying the president holds absolute confidence in Ododo as the new helmsman of the state.
His words: “The President remains committed to collaborating to optimise the vast potentials of Kogi State and bring to fruition the aspirations of its illustrious people.
“This historic day is not an orphan; it is born from a collection of sacrifices and an inventory of commitments to serve the people. This historic day is the ultimate demonstration of faith in Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo, a man fit for the shoes he is about to step into”.
Shettima who described former Governor Yahaya Bello by his nicknames, “indefatigable White Lion”, and “the people’s lion,” pointed out that the historic inauguration of Ododo as his successor “is an eloquent referendum on” Bello’s stewardship.
“We are not here by accident, for none of us would ever escape our destiny. It’s this fatalism in our service to humanity that inspires our humility to stay on track. We are here merely because we are chosen by the people to represent their ideals.
“While political parties embody ideologies, it is the people who uphold the value system that appeals to our humanity, and Kogi State is fortunate to have our trusted patriots safeguarding their interests,” he added.
He implored the new governor not to despair because of the difficult economic situation of the country.
The vice president stressed that while “it is precisely during these tumultuous times that leaders of note proves their resilience,” he pointed out that it is the same resilience that sets Nigerian leaders apart, as they navigate through challenges that shape the nation’s collective destiny.
While canvassing for collective efforts in governance and teamwork among members of the APC in the state, he pointed out that nobody functions in isolation.
“As His Excellency, Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo assumes the weight of leadership today, we must appeal to the pillars of the party in Kogi State to work as a team. “Our ability to manage this weight shapes our future and influences our image, and we must remain ambassadors of the party, wherever we are and in whatever we do,” Shettima added.
In his inaugural speech, Governor Ododo pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessor to move the state forward.
The governor, who promised not to betray the people’s trust, also pledged to pay attention to the health, education, agriculture and infrastructural sectors.
Ododo singled out President Tinubu for praise for his commitment to the conduct of free and fair elections.
The new governor pledged to hit the ground running by completing critical projects left behind by Bello.
To match his words with action, Ododo announced the appointments of the Secretary to the State Government, his Chief of Staff and his Chief Press Secretary, among others, even as he also forwarded the list of his commissioner-nominees to the state House of Assembly for confirmation.
