Vice President Kashim Shettima has continued to receive congratulatory messages from prominent Nigerians as he marks his 60th birthday, with governors, political leaders and the Northern States Governors’ Forum describing him as a patriot and distinguished public servant whose career has been defined by loyalty, service and commitment to Nigeria.
Among those who celebrated the Vice President are Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji; Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum; former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu; and the Northern States Governors’ Forum.
The tributes came despite Shettima’s earlier appeal to friends, associates and well-wishers to keep his 60th birthday celebration low-key and refrain from congratulatory advertisements and elaborate public festivities.
The Vice President had urged Nigerians who wished to mark the occasion to instead channel resources they might have spent on gifts and celebrations to charities, worthy causes and people in need.
Sani: Shettima’s Life Reflects Courage, Resilience
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State described Shettima’s 60 years as an opportunity to reflect on a life of distinguished service and devotion to the nation.
In a birthday message issued on Wednesday, Sani said Shettima’s journey from banking to the governorship of Borno State, the Senate and ultimately the Vice Presidency represented “a remarkable testament to intellect, courage, resilience and an enduring devotion to the Nigerian people.”
He said the Vice President had brought “vision, compassion, fortitude and intellectual depth” to every stage of his public career.
Sani also commended Shettima’s role as Chairman of the National Economic Council, saying his stewardship had strengthened cooperation between the Federal Government and the states.
“As Vice President, he has remained a steadfast partner to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in the historic task of advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Sani said.
The Kaduna governor described Shettima’s loyalty, patriotism, wisdom and capacity for constructive engagement as valuable to the administration’s efforts to achieve economic renewal, national prosperity and a more secure and united Nigeria.
Sanwo-Olu, Oyebanji Praise VP’s Leadership
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also congratulated Shettima, describing him as a visionary, loyal and dedicated public servant committed to Nigeria’s progress.
Sanwo-Olu praised the Vice President’s years of public service and leadership, joining other governors and political leaders in acknowledging his contributions to national development.
Similarly, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji described Shettima as a “worthy patriot and exemplary statesman,” praising his record of loyalty, honour and selfless service.
Oyebanji said the Vice President had consistently demonstrated commitment to Nigeria’s progress and unity, describing him as a servant-leader who had deployed his time, energy and intellect to the service of the country.
The governor also commended Shettima’s support for President Tinubu and his role in advancing the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He described the Vice President as “a passionate advocate of good governance” whose public service career spans banking, public administration, the Senate, two terms as governor of Borno State and the Vice Presidency.
Zulum: Low-Key Celebration Reflects Shettima’s Humility
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum said Shettima’s decision to keep his birthday celebration low-key was itself a reflection of his character.
Zulum said the Vice President’s request for a subdued celebration demonstrated his “characteristic selflessness” and his conviction that public attention should remain focused on national development.
However, the governor said the occasion was too significant for the people of Borno to ignore.
“I am mindful, Your Excellency, of your recent appeal for a low-key celebration,” Zulum said.
“This request reflects your characteristic selflessness and your conviction that public attention must remain focused on the serious work of national development. However, for us in Borno, it is too personal to forgo this auspicious occasion without celebrating.”
Kalu Commends Support for Tinubu
Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, also joined the stream of birthday tributes.
Kalu described Shettima as a committed public servant whose years in office had been marked by dedication to national development, peace and unity.
He specifically commended the Vice President’s contribution to the Tinubu administration.
“Your Excellency, your commitment to the service of our nation and support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are commendable,” Kalu said.
He prayed for good health, greater wisdom and renewed strength for Shettima as he continues to serve the country.
Northern Governors Celebrate VP
The Northern States Governors’ Forum, through its chairman and Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, also congratulated Shettima on his 60th birthday.
The forum described the Vice President as a patriot and distinguished leader committed to Nigeria’s progress.
Yahaya said the milestone provided an opportunity to reflect on Shettima’s “remarkable journey in public service” and his contributions to national development.
He also highlighted what he described as Shettima’s “intellectual depth, courage of conviction, strategic foresight, humility and commitment to the public good” throughout his political career.
The Northern governors further praised his loyalty to and partnership with President Tinubu in implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Shettima Asks for Prayers, Support for Needy
The tributes came as Shettima marked the milestone birthday amid his call for a subdued celebration.
In his personal message ahead of the occasion, the Vice President said turning 60 had reinforced his belief that the true measure of life was not what a person accumulated, but what he contributed to humanity.
He urged well-wishers to turn their goodwill into support for charities, worthy causes and people in need instead of spending money on personal gifts or elaborate celebrations.
“Tomorrow, by the grace of God, I turn sixty.
“What I ask for, in place of advertisements, gifts and celebrations, is prayer. Pray for me, and pray for Nigeria. Pray for the peace of our communities, the prosperity of our people, the wisdom of our leaders and the fulfilment of the immense promise of this nation.
“Ours is a country blessed with an industrious people, an extraordinary instinct for enterprise, a generosity that travels easily across family and community, and a youthful population whose imagination, talent and ambition remain among our greatest national assets. Our diversity is a vast inheritance, our cultures are reservoirs of strength, and our capacity to find fellowship across difference is one of the enduring beauties of the Nigerian spirit, ” he said.