Tag: Kashim Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged members of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) to prioritise maximising value from Nigeria’s core national assets to benefit Nigerians.

Speaking at the 4th meeting of the NCP, held in his office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Vice President Shettima emphasized that these national assets are crucial to the economic agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima urged members to provide constructive leadership for Nigerians, cautioning that posterity will judge them kindly if they make efforts to be fair to the citizens.

VP Shettima charged members of the council to play active roles in unlocking national prosperity that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu works towards every day.

The Vice President said: “The work of this council has never been more important, especially given our current economic climate. Maximising value from core national assets is a key tenet of the economic agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and we must, as a council, play our part in unlocking the national prosperity that Mr. President works towards every day.

“The agenda today is heavily packed; the items range from very important post-privatization matters to critical sector reform issues that typify the indelible contributions the bureau and this council continue to make towards the attainment of our national aspirations.

Read Also: Shettima, Akpabio, Jonathan, govsbid A’Ibom First Lady farewell

“I encourage members of the council to contribute strongly to our discussions today. Posterity will judge us kindly if we make efforts to be fair to the Nigerian people. Our people need our leadership. People will pass judgment on our decisions in years to come,” the VP added.

During the meeting, the Council received report presentations from its finance, technical, and legal committees which were all approved and ratified.

In his presentation to the Council, the Director General of the Bureau Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr Ayodeji Gbeleyi, sought the approval of the NCP for the proposed 2025 work plan of the Bureau, prioritizing revenue-generating projects and strengthening of concession management capacity, among others.

Also in his presentation, the DG gave an update on the establishment of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) to the National Council on Privatisation aimed at improving grid management, transparency, and reliability.

Council also received update reports on the restructured Kano, Kaduna, Benin, and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Companies as well as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission orders on the transfer of regulatory oversight of electricity markets in Edo, Enugu, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Oyo and Ondo States.

Other important update reports at the meeting included operations at the Zungeru Hydropower Plant; Kainji and Jebba Hydroelectric Power Plant, and the proposal to relocate 4 turbines from the Afam power plant tothe  Ughelli power plant, all in a bid to increase power supply to the national grid.

Present at the meeting were the Ministers of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu; Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu; Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, as well as other members of the NCP.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the federal Glgovernment’s commitment to advancing gender equity through transformative policies. 

The Vice President emphasised the indispensable role of women in building a balanced and equitable society.

VP Shettima stated this on Monday during the H.I.D. Awolowo Foundation Webinar in commemoration of the 109th posthumous birthday of Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, wife of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

VP Shettima called for renewed national efforts to create an inclusive society where women are empowered to lead and thrive, saying, “Every nation’s treatment of women serves as the ultimate marker of its civilization.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said “we cannot claim to have evolved as a nation unless we recommit ourselves to creating a society that offers women unconditional dignity and opportunity,” the Vice President added.

VP Shettima paid glowing tribute to the late Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, describing her as a “matriarch like no other and a jewel of inestimable value.”

He lauded her contributions to modern Nigeria, noting her unwavering support for her husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and her advocacy for women’s rights.

“Mrs. Awolowo’s courage and influence were instrumental in shaping policies like free education in the Western Region. This is what an empowered woman can achieve,” he said.

On the historical struggles for women’s rights, the VP referenced the activism of global pioneers like Susan B. Anthony and Nigerian icons such as Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Hajiya Gambo Sawaba.

“These trailblazers compelled us to confront the structural inequalities holding women back. Thanks to their efforts, the conversation has expanded beyond suffrage to include workplace equality, reproductive rights, and the fight against domestic violence,” he remarked.

VP Shettima also pointed to the transformative impact of technology, noting how digital platforms have amplified women’s voices and driven legislative victories like the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2015.

“This landmark legislation is a testament to the power of women-led advocacy and their determination to create a safer, fairer society,” he said.

Shettima further reiterated the importance of representation and leadership opportunities for women, even as he praised President Tinubu for his inclusive governance, shaped by the legacy of his mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, a formidable women’s rights advocate.

Read Also: Tinubu pledges to improve Nigerians’ living standards 

“Her legal battle for personal liberty set a precedent in our constitutional history, reminding us that women’s rights are human rights and must never be negotiable,” he noted.

The Vice President called for urgent action to address societal inequalities, particularly in education and leadership. “The nation we must build is one where no girl is denied the chance to learn, no woman is denied the opportunity to lead, and no mother is denied the dignity of safety and respect,” Shettima said.

He urged Nigerians to honour the legacy of women like H.I.D. Awolowo and embrace a collective responsibility to empower women.

“We are working to create an environment where women are not just supported but celebrated; where their aspirations redefine societal expectations and help build a viable, equitable, and thriving nation,” the Vice President said.

In her keynote address, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, said November 25th marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the start of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

She explained that HID Awolowo was a fighter for social justice and human rights and took every opportunity to show the power of women in economic development.

“Every chapter of her story tells us that no bird can fly on one wing. We need the leadership and representation of women. We need partnerships for change—everyone must work for systemic change that will be sustainable.

“We need to end the scourge of gender-based violence as an absolute priority, essential for growth. Societies cannot achieve the equal and just society envisioned by HID Awolowo if we leave 50 percent of the world’s population behind,” she said.

Earlier, the Chairperson of the HID Awolowo Foundation Advisory Council, Senator Daisy Danjuma, noted that in building a more viable Nigeria, the role of women should not be overlooked.

“Together, let us chart a society where the role of women is recognized, celebrated, and utilized,” she said.

Welcoming guests to the webinar earlier, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, described HID Awolowo and her late husband as giants of intellect, integrity, service, and sacrifice, saying their lives were a testament to the power of purposeful living.

“They left us a blueprint for leadership and a legacy of hope. It is, therefore, with immense pride (and I hasten to add humility) that I speak before you today, reflecting on the legacy of these two extraordinary individuals. To be their offspring is not just a privilege; it is a profound responsibility.

“Their legacy is not meant to be confined to history books or family stories. It is a legacy that demands to be shared, understood, and applied in Nigeria and beyond. Our role, therefore, is to identify actionable plans and strategies and amplify the voices and capacities of women,” Dr. Dosumu stated.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the federal government’s dedication to enhancing healthcare delivery in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas.

He specifically recognised the critical role of medical professionals in Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem, assuring the government’s commitment to supporting and retaining healthcare talent in the country.

Speaking during a visit by a delegation from the West African College of Physicians (WACP), VP Shettima commended healthcare professionals for their dedication to serving the nation, despite challenges.

“Yours is a very noble profession and many of the young ones are opting to leave the country but you did not. It’s not because you have not had options, but you felt a moral obligation to stay at home and serve,” he said.

The Vice President assured the delegation that the government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is committed to addressing healthcare challenges.

Read Also: Senator Kashim Shettima, books and an enlightened leadership

He highlighted the appointment of Professor Muhammadu Ali Pate as the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, noting the Minister’s deep understanding of the health sector.

“We will treat members of our professional bodies with dignity and respect. We will provide the enabling ground for you to work in Nigeria,” VP Shettima promised.

Recalling his efforts to support healthcare education in Borno State, the Vice President said, “In 2014, as governor of Borno State, I took it upon myself to sponsor female citizens of the state to study Medicine and Surgery in Sudan.

“The students have all graduated and licensed by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to practice medicine in Nigeria and are under the employment of the state government.”

He emphasised the government’s moral obligation to assist the people, saying, “We have a moral obligation to assist our people. In the fullness of time, we will have a course to rejoice. We will support you.”

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Dr. Jeremiah Aboi Madaki, thanked the Vice President for his support of the 48th Annual General and Scientific Conference of the West African College of Physicians.

Madaki expressed optimism about the government’s commitment to improving healthcare systems, even as he shared the communique of the conference with the Vice President.

“We are here to thank you for your encouragement and for advancing discussions on health system revitalization under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.

Dr. Madaki also assured of the College’s commitment to policy advocacy and its plans to work closely with the government to implement evidence-based policies that improve healthcare outcomes in Nigeria.

Other members of the delegation included Dr. Habibu Galadanci, Dr. Ogugua Osi-Ogbu, and Dr. Tahir Umar.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on state governors to redouble their efforts at making Nigeria open-defecation-free within the next five years.

He said the importance of the campaign cannot be overemphasised, as every step taken towards ending open defecation will improve health, boost productivity, and enhance the dignity and safety of Nigerians.

The Vice President made the call on Tuesday during the 5th anniversary of the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign where he also formally launched the Strategic Plan at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Shettima who was represented at the event by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, urged state governments to be deliberate in mobilizing “high-level political support that would drive the campaign, especially at the sub-national level.”

The sanitation sector in Nigeria, he noted, has great economic opportunities for growth, explaining that aligning these opportunities with the renewed hope agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can create jobs, provide alternative energy sources, and produce biological fertilizers.

In a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said: “It is against this background that the need to re-strategise the critical elements that will progressively increase our level of advocacy and awareness came to be.

“The new Strategic Plan for the Clean Nigeria Campaign is a comprehensive, actionable framework for Clean Nigeria that will help to actualize the call for reasonable access to use a toilet by the year 2030.

“I, therefore, urge State Governors to provide the necessary support to drive the campaign at the State and Local Government Areas levels to achieve our target of an Open Defecation Free Nigeria within the next five years.”

The Vice President cautioned against the hazards of open defecation, saying it is “a critical public health and environmental issue that compromises our water sources, spreads disease, and negatively impacts the quality of life, education, and economic productivity of the populace.

He said inadequate sanitation facilities to address open defecation pose a great risk, especially to women, girls, and vulnerable communities, assuring that the Tinubu administration is committed to the bid to end open defecation in Nigeria.

Read Also: Nigeria needs ingenuity of its brightest minds, says Shettima

“The present administration is committed to the call for Open Defecation Free in Nigeria, as part of measures to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 6.2 target aimed at contributing to building a healthy and thriving nation. We are all aware that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation rolled out several initiatives to bridge the existing gap of inadequate basic sanitation services,” he stated.

Shettima applauded the support provided by stakeholders, especially state Governors, Chairmen of local government areas, national and state legislators, members of the international community, development partners, the private sector, civil societies, and the media.

In his opening remarks, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, said the 5th anniversary of the Campaign aligned with the World Toilet Day set aside by the United Nations to accelerate the drive towards Open Defecation Free in countries around the world.

He recalled that the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign was launched in 2019 under the national programme to end open defecation in Nigeria and is backed by Presidential Executive Order 009.

Prof. Utsev explained that the campaign was informed by the unfortunate position of Nigeria as one of the countries with the highest number of people practising open defecation, estimated at 48 million persons.

He said: “It is a transformative movement to end open defecation in Nigeria and since its commencement, appreciable progress has been made over the past few years, with One Hundred and Thirty-Five (135) LGAs having attended an Open Defecation Free status.

“More State Governments and Local Government Areas are currently undergoing a verification process in line with the National Protocol on Open Defecation Free, and over Thirty Thousand (30,000) other communities were certified as ODF. Despite all these attainments, the progress rate appears grossly inadequate compared to the Campaign target date of 2025, which expects nationwide advocacy.”

In his goodwill message, the Chairman, the Senate Committee on Water Resources, Sen. (Engr.) Eze Kenneth Emeka, thanked the federal government for coming up with the campaign of clean water and ending open defecation, saying no one should lose focus of the target to terminate it in 2025.

He commended the government through the Ministry of Water Resources for coming up with the initiative of sustaining the campaign and setting the target to end the menace in 2025.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed optimism that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policies will return Nigeria to a path of economic growth.

He listed some of the improvements recorded so far to include crude oil production hitting 1.8 million barrels per day.

A statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima gave the assurance yesterday in Abuja during a one-day retreat for presidential aides and heads of units in his office.

Addressing participants at the retreat, the VP said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined to change the fortunes of the nation. We all want to bequeath to the younger generation a united and progressive country.

Read Also; Inflation still biting hard

“Yes, the economy has and is experiencing challenges but we have turned the corner. As of now, we are producing 1.8 million barrels of oil per day. The economy is on an upward trajectory and I believe in the new year, the economy will grow in leaps and bounds.”

Accordingly, the Vice President urged all aides in the presidency to synergise more and work harder in helping the President to deliver on his mandate. “The country is greater than all of us. I urge you, let’s work as a team and as a family.”

Earlier in his welcome address, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President, Senator Hassan Hadejia, said the retreat was planned to enable aides synergize ideas with the view to ensuring a seamless execution of tasks assigned to the office of the Vice President.

He said the whole essence of the retreat was to enhance strategic communication in the office, streamlining project funding and partnership, improving collaboration and synergy within the office and enhancing collaboration with ministries, departments and agencies.

In the same vein, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, commended the efforts of aides in the office, especially on tasks bothering on strategic communication, stressing the need for improved collaboration across the presidency.

On his part, the Special Adviser to the President on General Duties, Dr Aliyu Moddibo Umar, implored the aides to avail the system of their “knowledge and expertise, be humble and focused on the tasks at hand,” even as he said, “We need to deliver on the difficult task ahead. The primary thing is just the work.”

Also present at the retreat were the Permanent Secretary in the State House, Mr Olufunso Adebiyi; Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Mr Tope Fasua; senior aides in the office of the Vice President; Directors and Deputy Directors in the Office of the Vice President, among others.