Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, has lampooned those opposing the federal government’s decision to relocate some departments and units of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from Abuja to Lagos, saying the move is in the interest of the generality of Nigerians.
Shettima said 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, and described those opposing the relocation process of these departments as mischief makers.
The VP spoke on Saturday as a Special Guest of Honour at the 10th Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture and Merit Awards, which took place in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, on the theme: “Creating Pathways for Peace: Tackling Banditry and Insurgency through Good Governance for Sustainable Development in Nigeria”, Shettima 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, and commended members of the Foundation for not only choosing Borno as the venue for the lecture but also the theme, which is apt and timely in view of the numerous security challenges affecting the state, the North East sub-region, 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 chat about 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 Airport 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, Chief Servant, and former governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, said the gathering is to commemorate the significant milestone and enduring legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, 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, modernization of agriculture, building infrastructure, rebuilding civil service, and building credible media.”
He therefore appealed to those in higher positions of government to shun corruption and work together to enhance development by recognizing the critical roles of traditional rulers in peacebuilding and also dealing with citizenship and ethnic considerations.
The Chairman of the occasion, Gombe State Governor, who is also the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, said the Foundation, since its inception, has played a greater role in creating peace, unity, and progress’ amongst Nigerians, which were parts of the legacies of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto.
He therefore assured that the 19 state governors under his chairmanship 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 organizers for choosing Borno as a venue, as it would accord the people an opportunity to offer lasting solutions to the insecurity and poverty ravaging the state and the entire North.
Likewise, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Okpabio, who was represented by Senator (Borno Central), Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan said the national assembly would key into the Sardauna’s Foundation towards the creation of peace, unity, and development of the region and the country in general.
In attendance were the governors of Niger, Gombe, and the host, Borno, while those of Bauchi and Kaduna were represented by the Deputy Governor and Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, SSG.
