VP Shettima call for Northern unity in fight against poverty and destitution

Vice President Kashim Shettima has underlined the pressing need for unity among Northern Nigerians to combat the enduring challenges of poverty and destitution in their region.

He made this call during the inauguration of the 5km Masaka-Luvu Road in Karu Local Government, Nasarawa State.

Shettima urged Nigerians to avoid actions that could destabilise the nation.
Emphasising the importance of tolerance and peaceful coexistence for national progress, he acknowledged the difficulty of restoring peace once it had been disrupted.

He also commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for his ongoing efforts to maintain peace in the state.

Shettima said, “We have to learn to embrace each other and to tolerate one another, and for us in Northern Nigeria, we are all united by our heritage of poverty and destitution. I see no reason why we should be fighting one another instead of collectively fighting poverty, destitution, and backwardness in our states.”

He mentioned that President Bola Tinubu holds a keen interest in reshaping the essence and principles of contemporary leadership, stating, “It is for us in Nasarawa to maintain peace and amity and embrace one another for development to reach us.”

He elaborated, “There can never be peace without development, and there can never be development without peace. I was in Plateau State on Wednesday to sympathise with the people of Bokkos and Barikin Ladi Local Governments over the sad tragedy that befell us on Christmas eve.”

“As Martin Luther King rightly said, ‘we either learn to live together as brothers or we perish together as fools. It is inconsiderable for any community to be an island unto itself.”

“I want to thank the governor’s fundamentally for maintaining that delicate peace balance. There are agents of destruction and purveyors of death who are trying to inflame passion in most of the volatile parts of the North, but we should resist that temptation to plunge us into a state of anarchy.”

He reiterated, “The President was committed to the provision of infrastructure across the country, adding, ‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instructed me to convey to the good people of Nasarawa State that his government is poised to address the infrastructural deficit of our society.’”

Additionally, the vice president emphasised the forthcoming initiation of the school feeding programme nationwide by next year.

He stressed, “It is absolutely essential. This is vitally important, and the President has a lot of empathy for those in the lower strata of society. The president is interested in redefining the meaning and concept of modern leadership. It is for us in Nasarawa to maintain peace and amity and embrace one another for development to reach us.”

The governor, in his earlier address, commended the vice president for personally agreeing to inaugurate the road, noting its significant historical value dating back 15 years to the vision of the first civilian governor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

Governor Sule expressed joy that the road was completed during his tenure. Etsu Karu, Luka Panya Baba, representing the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, lauded the state government’s gesture and assured full support for the Tinubu-led administration.

Notable attendees also included Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress; Senator Ahmed Wadada, representing Nasarawa West in the Senate; Justice Sidi Bage Mohammed, the Emir of Lafia and Chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs; Danladi Jatau, Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly; as well as members of the state executive council and the House of Assembly.