By Chimezie Godfrey
Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians that the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu is giving the highest level of attention to addressing insecurity across the country.
Shettima gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja while speaking as chairman at the 60th birthday celebration of veteran journalist and founder of Journalists Hangout, Babajide Otitoju, held at the NAF Conference Centre.
Responding to concerns raised by stakeholders on the worsening security situation and its impact on Nigeria’s global image, the Vice President said the issue remains a top priority of the current administration.
He said,“Whenever a people give their attention to noise, they risk surrendering their future to the loudest voice of division. This is where the battle for a nation’s soul is opened.
“Be rest assured that the issue of security that you have just highlighted is receiving the topmost attention by this government.”
While presenting a book authored by the celebrant titled “My Life and Journalists Hangout,” Shettima described Otitoju as a symbol of democratic courage and urged Nigerians to remain focused on unity.
He also wished the media personality a happy birthday and prayed for long life and good health.
In his remarks, Otitoju thanked dignitaries for attending but expressed concern over insecurity, which he said is damaging Nigeria’s reputation.
He said, “We have the fear of bandits. I think we must get help, either from America or anywhere, and I urge the government, because the government is well represented here. I urge the government to get that help, so that our people can move around, and go to their farms. The insecurity is remarketing the government of the day. I hope that we can get a rapid solution, and quick solution to this problem. It’s my message to the President. The Vice President is listening to me. Let’s do our best. It is the biggest problem that we have to solve as I wish good health for my country.”
He added,“I want the government to address the problem of insecurity in the best way possible so that we can all live in happiness once again.
“Whatever the government achieves in the area of the economy, people will keep pointing at insecurity, that is why the government has to address this issue and resolve it. I’m sure, and I’m confident, I’m a believer in this Government, and I believe that the solution will come sooner than expected.”
Reflecting on his upbringing, Otitoju humorously described his father as a “chartered flogger.”
He said, “I call my dad a chartered flogger because everybody who went through him will recall the way he used to flog them. You can’t live with my father if you don’t have discipline. He will beat the hell out of you. We are happy now because he is an old man and he can’t beat us again. Thank you for the way you brought us up, otherwise we won’t be where we are today.”
He also acknowledged his mentor, Bayo Onanuga, saying:“I’m happy my boss Bayo Onanuga my mentor and one of the people who taught me to be stubborn at what I do. I owe what I’ve become in journalism to the fact that I met the likes of Bayo Onanuga as a very young man in his early 20s, and they made me better. Whatever I am today I owe to them, and give them credit all the time. I’m not ashamed to say it. I will not be who I am today without them.”
He further stated, “And I promised them… that I won’t change. It’s too late for me to do a character transplant. I will remain who I am, I will continue to give my best to my country. I’ll continue to go to different parts of my country to bring good stories.”
On his future plans, he said, “Thank you for a very honest review of the book. I promise to write another book after this, hopefully when I have so much time to myself because I was terribly distracted. As I said, when I retire I will be able to write a lot more books.”
Reviewing the book titled:”My Life and Journalists Hangout”, former Vice Chancellor of Modibbo Adama University of Technology, praised Otitoju’s professionalism.
He said,“This is the story of one of Nigeria’s leading journalists whose accomplishment has been attributed to his continuous search of actual reporting.
“His insistence on testing the sites of events has cast him as an objective reporter and an opinion molder among his colleagues.”
The event featured the unveiling of the book, cutting of the birthday cake, and was attended by top political figures, including governors and senior government officials.
Shettima: FG giving topmost attention to insecurity, urges Nigerians to ignore divisive narratives
