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Tag: Shettima

  • Quit notice: Shettima meets northern elders, Arewa again

    Quit notice: Shettima meets northern elders, Arewa again

    GOVERNORS  in the 19 northern states, represented by Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, yesterday met with northern elders and key leaders of the coalition of Arewa groups.

    The meeting is part of efforts to make the coalition withdraw the quit notice it gave the Igbo to leave the North on October 1.

    “The meeting, which is the third since July, was at the instance of some northern governors, who mandated Shettima to engage the coalition with a view to preventing a possible outbreak of violence, should hoodlums take advantage of the quit notice to act,” Shettima’s spokesman, Isa Gusau, said.

    The meeting, which began about 2.30 pm, lasted till 6.30 pm at the Governor’s lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.

    It was attended by members of the Northern Elders Forum: Prof. Ango Abdullahi; Alhaji Sani Zango Daura; Air Marshall Al-Amin Daggash; AVM Mukhtar Mohammed; Prof. Yima Sen and Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed, who represented the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation.

    Key leaders of the coalition of Arewa groups, Yerima Shettima, Ashir Sherrif, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, Aminu Adam, Balarabe Rufai and leaders of other groups in the coalition, also attended.

    “The meeting ended on a positive note, and the Arewa coalition is expected to meet members of the AbdulSalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee who invited them for a meeting,” Gusau added.

    The governor held three separate meetings with leaders of the Arewa coalition in Kaduna, Abuja and Maiduguri, before yesterday’s meeting.

    The Arewa coalition is expected to make its decision public at a date to be determined by members.

  • Shettima commiserates with families of victims

    Shettima commiserates with families of victims

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has described the attack on geologists and exploration workers from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and University of Maiduguri as a setback in the fight against Boko Haram and efforts to boost Nigeria’s economy.

    A statement by his spokesman, Isa Gusau, said Shettima had been troubled since getting the news.

    It reads: “I haven’t been myself since I received information on that attack. What happened is a setback in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency and efforts to expand the country’s economic fortunes.

    “I am deeply pained by this incident, especially coming at a time when we were beginning to pick up the pieces of our lives. Though the attack should not have happened, given the success recorded by the military and multinational joint forces since 2015, I nonetheless deem it necessary to laud the military for re-mobilising and countering the attack.

    “On behalf of the government and people of Borno State, I mourn and salute the soldiers and our sons in the Civilian JTF, who died in this fight. I commiserate with their families and loved ones.

    “We believe that by the power and grace of God, the battle against Boko Haram will soon end. I urge our military, volunteers in the Civilian JTF, vigilantes and hunters to consider what happened as a temporary setback, which should strengthen our will and collective determination to defeat the forces of evil.

    “I am confident that Boko Haram will become history, by the will of the Armed Forces, through the supreme help of God.”

  • Shettima to northern elite: what awaits us is worse than Boko Haram

    Shettima to northern elite: what awaits us is worse than Boko Haram

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shetima has warned that a catastrophe greater than Boko Haram insurgency would befall the North if the elites and public officials do not deliver good governance and cater for the masses in by providing quality education.

    The governor spoke at the graduation of 76 girls from secondary schools, including 42 Chibok girls and 34 others who were victims of sectarian violence in Plateau State, yesterday.

    The girls were sponsored by an Abuja-based Non-Governmental Organisation, Girl Child Concerns (GCC).

    Shettima, who chaired the occasion, lamented that there are at least 100,000 orphans and widows, occasioned by the insurgency, who must be provided for to stop them from becoming a menace to the society.

    His words: “By 2050, 70 per cent of Nigerians will live in northern Nigeria. Presently, only 53 per cent are there, with desertification, endemic poverty, pervasive illiteracy, you don’t need a soothsayer to tell you that what awaits us is a fate worse than Boko Haram.

    “Women and children bore the brunt of madness in Borno. According to statistics by the World Bank, in partnership with the European Union and the Presidency, Boko Haram created 54,911 widows and 52,311 orphans. If we don’t care for these orphans and widows now, 10 or 15 years down the line, they will become the Frankenstein monsters that will drive us out of this land.

    “Seated here are 42 of our girls from Chibok, they are here with other vulnerable girl-child victims of sectarian violence in Plateau State.

    “One other painful aspect of the Chibok abduction is that it exposed my concern about the poor quality of our public schools, only those who have been to the deepest valley will appreciate what it is to be on top of the mountain.

    “If not for access to western education, I might be rearing goats or be a Quranic scholar somewhere in Maiduguri, because I am a son of a Quranic scholar but today, I am a first generation graduate in my family.”

    The governor reiterated there is no option than to fund public education. “For us in Northern Nigeria, we have no option than to invest in education, it is the greatest game changer. For us the elites, we have to invest in the poor or the poor will keep us from sleeping.

    “We are the elites, if we go to the interiors, and meet with the common man, there is contempt in their faces for us. We must wear our thinking cap and work for the people, and the most important yardstick is the quality of governance. There is more to leadership than primitive accumulation of capital, there is a certain point when the lifestyle of somebody with N20 million is virtually the lifestyle of somebody with N100 million.

    “We must work for the people, create jobs, invest in education, and create the work station for our youths. There is nothing special about oil; human resource is the most important. Chibok is 70 per cent Christian and that is why we have a moral obligation to cultivate the culture of tolerance and inclusivity. That is why I am paying undivided attention to the Chibok girls.”

    Shetima praised GCC and its Board chairperson, Dr. Mairo Mandara, describing her as a “daughter of Borno in whom we are well pleased.”

    Dr. Mandara said the group’s specific intervention include providing educational opportunities for girls from poor rural communities, mentoring and life skills development, sensitisation on civil rights, and gender equity.

    Mandara, who is also the Country Representative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), said the organisation has had a strong focus in the last six years, on meeting the educational and social needs of young girls affected by social unrest in Plateau, and by insurgency in the northeast.

    According to her, GCC has been supporting 500 women living in various IDPs camps, saying her organisation was given the responsibility of catering for the escapee Chibok girls.

    Mandara said: “It was difficult getting a school for them. When we got custody of these girls, schools refused to accept them for fear of consequences which could follow if the girls were discovered there.

    “In another school, some parents threatened to withdraw their children if the girls were offered admission.”

  • Shettima seeks end to insurgency

    Shettima seeks end to insurgency

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has appealed to the military to intensify efforts to end Boko Haram insurgency.

    Shettima made the appeal during the Eid-el-Fitr reception for members of the State Executive Council, and other dignitaries at the Government House in Maiduguri.

    He said though the military had recorded great successes against insurgency, the recent spate of attacks in different parts of the state was worrisome.

    “We have to laud President Muhammadu Buhari and the military for their efforts in fighting the Boko Haram insurgency. But in the last two weeks, we have had tremendous security challenges in Damboa, Chibok, Maiduguri, and in all nooks and crannies of the state.

    “We were literary attacked by the insurgents from different angles. Yes, we had recorded lots of successes before but all hands must be on deck for us to have lasting peace in this part of the world.

    “It is not for us to take two steps forward and one step backward, it is not for us to wake up to be reluctant to open our phones for fear of getting uncomplimentary stories about attacks,” he said.

    The governor said the government will continue to reach out to security establishments towards ending the problem.

    “We will continue to discuss with security establishments toward coming up with robust platform to address these security challenge that have refused to go…”

  • Shettima seeks support for NPA MD

    Shettima seeks support for NPA MD

    •Agency donates materials to IDPs

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has  drummed up support for Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Managing Director Ms Hadiza Bala Usman to ensure her success.

    Ms Usman, the governor said, inherited traits of her father, the late Dr Bala Usman, who he described as an epitome of courage, commitment and unparalleled patriotism.

    Shettima said: “Only a lion could   give birth to a lioness and not to a goat.”

    Shettima spoke when the NPA  management team donated relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    He urged the NPA chief not relent in her effort to turnaround the ports.

    According to him, in the face of dwindling revenue from oil, the Federal Government relies on NPA, FIRS, NIMASA and few agencies to bring the economy out of the woods.

    While commending Ms Usman for the brilliant initiatives at the NPA, the governor urged her to be unfazed by unconstructive criticisms.

    “You have paid your dues, and if a child washes his hand he could eat with the kings. And anybody who feels she is too young to lead NPA should be reminded that General Yakubu Gowon became the Head of State of Nigeria at the age of 27. So, it is a function of the mind and not of age. There are a lot of people that their old age does not reflect in their actions in this country. They behave like kindergarten pupils, scandalising others.

    “We advise you to continue to do the good work you are doing at the NPA. We want to commend you for a job well done. We know your background, we can attest to the kind of person you are. We are proud of you, and Inshallah, you will lead the NPA to a greater height,” the governor added.

    Shettima assured Usman of his unalloyed support, saying the Northern support for her and the management team in executing the reform agenda at NPA remained unshaken.

    The governor said within her short tenure so far, she had done a lot to address some of the problems facing the ports, imploring Nigerians to continue to support her bold initiatives to move NPA forward and make the ports the hub of maritime  in the sub-region.

    Shettima, who received the materials at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) office in Maiduguri, expressed appreciation to the management of the NPA for the gesture, urging other agencies  to emulate NPA.

    “On behalf of the people and government of Borno State, we wish to register our profound gratitude for your kind gesture over the insurgence that has confronted us.

    “The people of Borno will forever be grateful to you for your kind gesture and we pray to Allah that the madness will never happen again in our state and the entire country,” the governor said.

    The donation, Ms Usman said, stemmed from her belief that the money generated from the seaports is meant to develop the country and support its people.

    The initiative aligned with NPA’s CSR policy, she said, adding that the agency would continue to focus on working with the government to assist and support the IDPs.

    “As we move towards the third anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls, I am passionate and committed to the challenges of Boko Haram. We thank the military and we hope that as we get to the third anniversary, the remaining girls would be rescued from their abductors,’’ she added.

    Ms Usman praised the security agencies for their efforts, adding that she believed that the other Chibok girls would be rescued.

    After a visit to the hospital where she consoled with victims of the insurgency, Ms Usman visited the Bakassi Camp, distributed the materials and interacted with the IDPs.

    The materials include 107, 450 pieces of mats, 29,200 blankets, 2,540  50 kg bags of made-in-Nigeria rice, 2,100 bags of white beans, 1,400 bags of Semovita, 600 bags of red beans, 1,660 kegs of palm oil, 830 pieces of mattress, 2,100 pieces of mosquito nets, 4,620 pieces of Ankara wrappers and 1,950 pieces of solar lanterns.

  • Shettima warns caretaker chairmen against ‘betrayal’

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has warned council caretaker committee chairmen against aiding Boko Haram insurgents.

    The governor, at the swearing in of the chairmen yesterday, vowed that anyone caught in the act will face prosecution, adding that anyone not ready to relocate to his local government was free to reject the appointment.

    “Indeed, any of you not ready to relocate from Maiduguri to live, work and worship with your people in your local councils, is advised to reject this mandate.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, we are declaring a zero tolerance for the services of any chairman who is not ready for permanent residency in his local government throughout the period of his tenure,” Shettima warned.

    Findings showed that the governor’s warning may not be unconnected to news that a caretaker chairman and vice chairmen of two councils were arrested for allegedly aiding insurgents.

    His words: “There is an important issue we must not ignore or pretend about. It is no longer news that some months back, a chairman and two vice chairmen were arrested for security-related matters. Any caretaker chairman who shames this administration will face the music alone.

    “The Borno State government will not only disown such a person, but will take legal steps to ensure he does not hold any public office associated with the state.”

     

  • Of Shettima and gratitude

    Of Shettima and gratitude

    In his hefty tome of historical writing, The Decline and Fall of The Roman Empire, Edward Gibbon identified a foul trait of human character. It was what he called the fear of gratitude. It is the sort in which a person is afraid to acknowledge that he actually was helped by another person. Such fear of gratitude is expressed by violence and subversion to the benefactor. He said some of the major figures in the fall of Rome could be attributed to this fear. I saw this recently as far away as North Korea, where the infantile despot killed his uncle and now his cousin.

    Here in Nigeria, the calm governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, scored twice last week. He showed that with the decline and ultimate fall of Boko Haram, he has started the work to rebuild the lives of his people. He launched an estate with 432 houses, 13 primary and junior secondary schools as well as a full furnished estate with 26 apartments, some of which are for medical doctors.

    He has shown that when the Jonathan administration was fluffing the war against terror, it was stopping him from the work for his people he is eagerly doing right now. He is doing other things, in health care, roads as well as education. The story is unfolding.

    He named the estate after Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as an act of gratitude at a time when his predecessor Ali Modu Sheriff wanted to derail him and his party men. This did not get much publicity and neither Tinubu nor Shettima boasted of their cooperation and triumph. They drove the Sheriff out of town. But Shettima could have brushed high moment aside and moved on. But he was not eaten by the fear of gratitude. He unfurled it, in his usual rhetorical elegance, in public. That was not just humility; it was from a man of self-assurance. Roman writer Tacitus once noted that “men are more likely to repay an injury than a benefit, because gratitude is a burden.” Not so for Shettima, whose work shows that he is comfortable in his own skin. Was it not Awo himself who noted wisely that to acknowledge greatness in others is, in itself, an act of greatness?

  • Tinubu hails Shettima’s post-insurgency projects

    Tinubu hails Shettima’s post-insurgency projects

    All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described as impressive, the comprehensive post-insurgency plans and projects by Borno State Governor. Kashim Shettima.
    According to him, the show of consistency, resilience, determination and commitment of providing for the victims of Boko Haram by Shettima is an evidence of a leadership in touch with his people.
    Asiwaju Tinubu spoke yesterday at at Benisheik, the headquarters of Kaga Local Government. He was also at Ngamdu town and other project sites during his working visit to Borno State.
    He inaugurated some post-insurgency projects initiated and constructed by the Shettima government for the thousands of children rendered orphans and women-turned widows in the last seven years of the Boko Haram insurgency.
    Asiwaju Tinubu was accompanied by pioneer APC National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande and Former Presidential Adviser Malam Kashim Ibrahim Imam, among others.
    He was delighted with the volume of projects. He praised the governor for identifying him as one of the people to inaugurate the projects, particularly, the women and girl-child projects and programmes with direct bearing on the orphans and widows.
    The former Lagos State governor said: “Only a humanitarian person, God-fearing, committed, honest and transparent leader can go the extra miles to carry out such gigantic projects at this critical period despite the security challenges in this state.
    “The concern and efforts of the governor for his people are rare qualities that only a few leaders can have at this time of economic recession ”.
    Some of the projects inaugurated by the the APC stalwart include; Benisheikh General Hospital, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari Primary School Benisheikh and Kaga Local Government Council Secretariat in Benisheikh.
    At Ngamdu, Senator Tinubu also inaurated projects like the Ngandu Central Primary School. He inspected Ngandu Model UBEB School and ,returned to Tamsu Kawu village to inuagurate a Primary Healthcare Centre, Tamsu Kawu Primary School, Housing Estate and Net House Plantation.
    He was also at Makinta Kururi to inaugurate houses, Community tractors and tricycles, Primary Healthcare Centre at Mainok, among others.
    At Jakana village in Konduga Local Government, the APC stalwart also inaugurate Jakana Primary School and community tractors, tricycles and inspected Irrigation Projects.
    Before leaving today, he is expected to inaugurate medical doctors quarters at Gidan Madara area of Maiduguri and Ayno Primary Healthcare Centre, Primary School, a fish pond and other projects.

  • Shettima calls security meeting on renewed insurgency

    Shettima calls security meeting on renewed insurgency

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima at the weekend summoned an emergency security meeting following the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in some parts of the state.
    A statement by Shettima’s media aide, Isa Gusau, said the closed-door meeting was attended by heads of security agencies.
    The statement added that Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Leo Irabor, briefed the governor on recent attacks and ongoing military operations while discussions centred on the wave of suicide attacks following the dismantling of Boko Haram stronghold in Sambisa Forest.
    The statement reads: “At the end of meeting, new guard locations were established in some routes to curtail the movement of remnants of Boko Haram fighters; deployment of security personnel in various locations were increased with more members of Civilian JTF
    (youth volunteers involved) while the Governor approved the release of additional patrol vehicles to security agencies for increased surveillance.
    “The governor also approved logistics to compliment the Federal Government’s efforts in strengthening the Armed Forces while measures were adopted to strengthen the Civilian JTF and hunters.
    “The meeting also reviewed synergy between formal Armed Forces and volunteers with steps adopted to increase collaboration and clamp down cattle rustling.”
    The over three-hour meeting, at the council chambers of the Government House, was attended by the G.O.C 7 Division Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu; Commander 79 Composite Group of the Air Force, Air Commodore Charles Oho; Commissioner of
    Police Damien Chukwu; Garrison Commander, 7
    Division, Brig.-Gen. Jibrin G. Mohammed; Director of the Department of State Services (SSS), Suleiman Kankia; Commandant of the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Ibrahim Abdullahi; Secretary to the State
    Government (SSG) Usman Jidda Shuwa, and others.

  • Shettima calls security meeting on renewed insurgency

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima at the weekend summoned an emergency security meeting following the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in some parts of the state.

    A statement by Shettima’s media aide, Isa Gusau, said the closed meeting was attended by heads of security agencies.

    The statement added that Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Leo Irabor, briefed the governor on recent attacks and ongoing military operations while discussions centred on the wave of suicide attacks following the dismantling of Boko Haram stronghold in Sambisa Forest.

    The statement reads: “At the end of meeting, new guard locations were established in some routes to curtail the movement of remnants of Boko Haram fighters; deployment of security personnel in various locations were increased with more members of Civilian JTF (youth volunteers involved) while the Governor approved the release of additional patrol vehicles to security agencies for increased surveillance.

    “The governor also approved logistics to compliment the Federal Government’s efforts in strengthening the Armed Forces while measures were adopted to strengthen the Civilian JTF and hunters.

    “The meeting also reviewed synergy between formal Armed Forces and volunteers with steps adopted to increase collaboration and clamp down cattle rustling.”

    The over three-hour meeting, at the council chambers of the Government House, was attended by the G.O.C 7 Division Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu; Commander 79 Composite Group of the Air Force, Air Commodore Charles Oho; Commissioner of Police Damien Chukwu; Garrison Commander, 7 Division, Brig.-Gen. Jibrin G. Mohammed; Director of the Department of State Services (SSS), Suleiman Kankia; Commandant of the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Ibrahim Abdullahi; Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Usman Jidda Shuwa, and others.