By Inusa Ndahi, Maiduguri
The Vice President of the Federal Republic 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, describing 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 of 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, Shettima, who spoke on the theme: ‘Creating Pathways for Peace: Tackling Banditry and Insurgency through Good Governance for Sustainable Development in Nigeria,’ said late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, of blessed memory, lived a worthy life and good legacies of emulation for the betterment of the North and the country as a whole.
He commended members of the Foundation for not only choosing Borno as venue for the lecture, but 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 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 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 for 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 was 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.
Aliyu said, “The 10th Annual Lecture being hosted today by Borno State is not by accident, but is as a result of the topic of today: ‘Creating Pathways for Peace: Tackling Banditry and Insurgency through Good Governance for Sustainable Development in Nigeria,’ as Borno State and the North East region has been the theatre of warfare in the last 10 to 15 years. We need a healthy symbiotic relationship between government, governance and the people, especially in the Northern states where we seemed too relaxed as to allow many bad things to happen to us and our people.
“We must be good neighbours and take care of our future. However, we salute the courage of eminent sons and daughters of Borno State, especially, the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON and Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, the executive governor of Borno State, who have resisted this sad and tragic event of insurgency that has left most parts of this region decimated, creating the largest group of refugees living in IDP camps.
“We are very happy and many Nigerians have noted your giant strides in all spheres. You are trailblazer and many administrators want to copy you.
“We started rotating this Annual Memorial Lecture from our original base in Kaduna to other states in the Northern region so that people will be more informed about the activities of the Foundation and at the same time showcase their states themselves. Borno State is the third state to host our lecture after Kano and Nasarawa states.
“I understand that 2025 event will be hosted by Bauchi State. The rotation has made it possible for more people to appreciate that there was a time when we had good governance, corrupt free society and things were planned properly.
“The rise of banditry and insurgency in Nigeria is a direct consequence of deep-rooted socio-economic and governance issues. These challenges are symptomatic of systemic failures that have perpetuated poverty, inequality, and disenfranchisement within our communities. It is clear that the absence of good governance and sustainable development has created fertile ground for conflict and instability, undermining our collective efforts to build a peaceful and prosperous nation. Corruption has become rampant to the extent of selling government employment, anything you want in most government offices, you must pay.
“In addressing these pressing issues, we must recognize that sustainable peace and development are intrinsically linked to good governance. We cannot hope to eradicate banditry and insurgency without addressing the underlying grievances and vulnerabilities that fuel these conflicts. Therefore, it is imperative that we embark on a comprehensive and holistic approach that prioritizes good governance, economic empowerment, and social inclusion.”
The Guest Speaker, Professor Tijjani Mohammed Banded, whose paper dwellled 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 peace building, provision of quality education, modernization of Agriculture, building infrastructures, rebuilding civil service and building credible media.”
He therefore appealed to those in higher position of government to shun corruption, and work together to enhance development, by recognizing the critical roles of traditional rulers in peace building, and also deal with citizenship and ethnic considerations.
The Chairman of the occasion, governor of Gombe State, who is also the Chairman of Northern Governors Forum, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, said the Foundation, since inception, has played a greater role in creating peace, unity and progress’ amongst Nigerians, which were parts of legacies of late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto.
He therefore assured that the 19 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 venue, saying it would accord the people an opportunity to proffer a 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 Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan, the senator representing Borno Central in the National Assembly, said the National Assembly would key into the Sardauna’s Foundation towards creation of peace, unity and development of the region and the country in general.
In attendance were only three governors of Niger, Gombe and the host state, Borno, while that of Bauchi and Kaduna were represented by the Deputy Governor, and Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, SSG, respectively, among many dignitaries too numerous to mention.
