Government Resolute Against Insecurity, Says Shettima

Vice President Kassim Shettima on Monday said the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is not politicising insecurity in the country but remained committed to tackling the menace.

Shettima stated this at the public presentation of the book titled: ‘My Life and Journalists Hangout,’ written by TVC Director of News, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, in Abuja.

The event was attended by governors of Borno State, Babagana Zulum; Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo; Kwara State, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq; Akwa Ibom, Umo Eno; and Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Vice President who was special guest of the honour was responding to calls from Kolade-Otitoju, popularly known as BKO, urging the government to act decisively on rising insecurity.

He said, “Be rest assured that the issue of security we have highlighted is receiving the toughest, toughest attention from President Bula Amartini. But I’m not playing politics.

“I am telling the nation that we are very much concerned. We are very much worried. Because the essence of government is to provide security to the lives and property.

“The President is very much concerned, and the President is leaving no stone unturned to see that the issue of security of lives and property of Nigerians are fondly addressed.”

Shettima recalled that in the 2023 general election, supporters of Peter Obi, popularly known as Obidient Movement accused him of recruiting terrorists during the electioneering. He clarified that that was not the truth.

The Vice President recalled how Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, called him for clarification, which he did and cleared the air.

“At the height of the 2023 political campaign, a video emerged purportedly of Kashim Shettima having lunch with Boko Haram terrorists. The obedient crowd recognised that lie and gave it a life.

“I got a call from the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly that one Babajide wants to clear some evidences from you. I got in touch with him and, true to his nature, he stoutly defended my position. The picture was taken at one of our school sites.

“We were building mega-schools across the length and breathe of Maiduguri. And most of the Mai guards in those schools were victims of Boko Haram. They were chased out from the Sambisa Forest.

“And we were encouraging them to enrol their ward into school by bringing them closer to us. We believe that they will earn us their confidence. And precisely those pictures were taken of those parents of our students.

“Eleven of them are now studying medicine and nursing at Maiduguri. And to the eternal credit of Governor Babagana Zulum, we built a school named after the former test lady Aisha Buhari. We are feeding them two meals per day.

“One thing that he did that has endeared himself more to me was the fact that after my exit from office, you know, when you are in power, as I have always said, your friends know you. When you are out of power, you know your friends. He sustained it.

“We were releasing 15 million naira every month for the upkeep of those Fulani wards. And we specially designed that school for the Fulanis,”he added.

Shettima reiterated the critical role of the media in democracy and described BKO’s book’s as a model of integrity and courage.

“It is a celebration of documenting experience. BKO is a living template of democratic courage. His professional journey has been marked by intellectual seriousness.

“A democracy depends on a strong media culture. The media is not a theatre of noise. It is a republic of conscience,” the vice president stated.

Also speaking, chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, called for more support for the armed forces in the war against terrorism.

AbdulRazaq, who congratulated author also commended the media for balancing reportage on the activities of banditry without energizing their crime.

“I also thank BKO for the effort to tell all sides of the story every time in a way that the truth is not compromised. The public deserves only the truth told from all sides of the argument.

“This is what allows society to grow in unity and peace. I commend BKO and all our friends in the media who do their work diligently.

“I am using this event to especially commend the media for their support for democracy and sustainable development, our democracy. In the core measure, I feel for more support for our security forces in the fight against banditry and terrorism, and the strategic reporting of matters in a way that does not embolden or lionise criminals or make people easy targets for those that take access.

“Finally, I thank BKO for bringing a book to mark this day. It is a necessary addition to a deepening national conversation. I believe that the insights in the book will serve shared national interest in many ways,”he added.

For his part, the author, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, urged charged the government to step up its efforts towards addressing insecurity even it means embracing embrace international collaboration, particularly to flush out bandits.

“I want the government to address it in the best way that it can. Whatever the government thinks, even in the area of the economy, people keep pointing against it, that’s why that problem has to be addressed.

“I am sure and I am confident, I am a believer in this government, I believe that that solution will come sooner than we think,”he added.