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Shettima: Ex-Borno Gov Who Wept Over Boko Haram Invasion

Published

3 years ago

July 10, 2022

A former governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima has been announced as running mate to the standard flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The PUNCH reports that Shettima was announced on Sunday, July 10, 2022 following the announcement of the withdrawal of the placeholder for the position of running mate of the APC’s candidate, Ibrahim Masari.

However, there are controversies over the choice of Shettima as running mate to Tinubu.

Shettima, who is a banker and Muslim from the terrorist-ravaged Borno, will join Tinubu who is a Muslim from the South West on the Presidency ticket of the ruling APC, thereby, making the APC’s ticket a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Muslim-Muslim ticket has been described by religious organisations such as the Christian Association to Nigeria, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, among others, as a threat to national unity.

In this piece, The PUNCH highlights memorable moments of the two-term governor whose tenure witnessed the heat of Boko Haram activities in Borno.

Insecurity in Borno

On January 2, 2019, the former Borno State governor during an extraordinary security meeting to discuss the worsening security situation in his state noted that he could not criticise the president, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), the same way they criticised former president Goodluck Jonathan over the insecurity in the North East.

Shettima was an ardent critic of the administration of Goodluck Jonathan over what he tagged as the failure of the administration to secure the lives of Nigerians in the north.

“Some persons have asked why I have not criticised the Buhari government or the Nigerian military over situations in Borno. My response to them is that unlike in previous years when I was treated as an enemy of the Presidency, I have from 2015 to date, gained unfettered access to the President.

“I see the Commander-In-Chief at the shortest request and I tell him my concerns, he listens to me with keen interest and in most cases, he takes measures. I have not had reason to be frustrated with the Presidency, unlike previous years,” Kashima had said at the meeting.

Shettima’s tears at Aso Villa
On Monday, January 7, 2019, The PUNCH reported how Shettima broke down in tears before Buhari in Abuja at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, urging the President to do all he could to stop the insurgents, who now attack communities at will.

The governor had gone to the Villa in company with Borno elders to meet with Buhari in order to seek further ways of addressing the resurgence in attacks by Boko Haram.

Others at the meeting were the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.); who is also from Borno State; former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin; acting Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar; and the Director General of the Department for State Services, Yussuf Bitchi.

Three killed in Shettima’s convoy
On February 13, 2019, The PUNCH reported how three persons were killed in the convoy of Shettima, during an attack by Boko Haram insurgents.

Shettima, who was governor at the time, was travelling to Gamboru-Ngala on political campaign when his large convoy ran into an ambush between Dikwa and Gamboru.

Sources who spoke to The PUNCH said there was an exchange of gunfire and three persons believed to be party supporters who had joined his convoy on the campaign were killed.

While commenting on the matter, Shettima had said, “The Boko Haram basked in the oxygen of publicity, by attacking my convoy, by targeting my person, they have gotten the much needed boost. But then as they say, if you cannot withstand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”

On Monday, December 14, 2020, Shettima who featured on a programme on Arise Television, shortly after the abduction of hundreds of students from a government owned secondary school in Kankara, Katsina State, cautioned Nigerians against criticising the failure of the regime of Muhammadu Buhari to tackle insecurity.

“We respect him. We cherish him. We love him. But don’t deify him because deification is [for] God. Buhari is not God. If there are things that need to be corrected, we are going to point it out to him equivocally and unambiguously, but without playing to the gallery,” he had said.

The senator said the service chiefs have done their best but “their best is no longer enough,” adding, “Justice, equity and fairness, even common sense demand that these service chiefs should go”.

He said, “There’s been some improvement in the security landscape in the state (Borno) especially in the first two years of the Buhari administration”.

PUNCH

Related Topics:#Boko Haram Borno Shettima

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Edo: Foundation Puts Smile On Less Privileged Faces, Gives 100 Free Medical Surgery

Published

40 minutes ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

Not less than a hundred less privileged patients on Wednesday in Benin benefited from a free medical surgery carried out by Dr. Paddy Emmanuel Foundation.

The surgical operations were carried out on ailments ranging from Fibroids, Hernia, Liponia breast lump and others.

Speaking, the founder and Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, said since the commencement of the free medical outreach in 2014, over 3000 persons have benefited in Edo and Delta.

Paddy, who said the programme was driven purely by compassion and not political motives, added: “Life is all about what you can give back to the people because you came with nothing and you go back with nothing. I have been giving back to society in the past 10 years to impact the people”, he said.

He stressed that many of the beneficiaries could not have afforded the cost of treatment on their own.

“This gesture is outside politics. We started as far back as 2014 and we have been doing it every year. Some persons who come for treatment tell you they have not had food to eat, not to talk of getting money, which sometimes runs into millions, to give to the doctor.

“The experience in the last 10 years has been fulfilling and impactful. I am happy to see burdens lifted off people.

“Life is vanity and when you are gone, you will be remembered for what you have done. I hope to continue till Jesus calls me.”

Director General of the foundation, Mr. Zion Oshiobugie, explained that while the first nine editions of the medical outreach were held in Delta State, the 10th edition marks the first time Edo residents were benefitting from the initiative.

Oshiobugie noted that the annual programme is fully funded by the founder, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, who dedicates his birthday every year to providing life-changing healthcare for indigent citizens.

According to him, “What he does is to mark his birthday on the 30th of November every year with the free surgeries which have benefitted 3,000 persons. He wants humanity to benefit from his birthday instead of just partying.

“So this programme, which takes place for one week every year, is borne out of love for humanity, which is in line with the motto of our foundation, ” Touching Lives”

“Every year, we partner with our surgeon, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, who brings his team from Lagos. He has been one of our partners and he is a respected member of the Nigeria Medical Association.”

Partners and team lead of the medical personnel from Lagos, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, expressed his commitment to the outreach, disclosing his personal calling to give back after surviving a ghastly motor accident years ago.

“I am here with 24 members of my team from Lagos. We perform fibroid surgeries which have allowed women to have their own children. We also perform hernia, lipoma, breast lump and other surgeries.

“Last week, we got a text that one of the women we operated on in 2020 now has three kids. That means this intervention is creating relief for our people.

“The focus is on the less privileged because when you do this, you give it to God. Each year we come back, people give testimonies of the good things that have happened to them.”

A 19-year-old Nelson Ehigie who benefited from the free medical operation, thanked the foundation for the free surgery.

“I’m very grateful to Dr. Paddy Foundation. My parents couldn’t afford the cost so we had to come here for the surgery. God bless Dr. Iyamu,” he said.

News

BREAKING: NNPCL Reduces Fuel Price After Dangote Refinery, Depot Owners Cut Rates

Published

3 hours ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has reduced its premium motor spirit pump price after Dangote Refinery and depot owners dropped ex-depot prices.

A visit to filling stations in Abuja on Thursday, gathered that the state-owned firm has slashed its fuel price to N930 per litre from N945.

The downward adjustment has been implemented in NNPCL retail outlets in Kubwa Expressway, Gwarimpa, Wuse Zone 4, Zone 6 and filling stations within Abuja and environs.

This means that NNPCL reduced its fuel retail price by N10 per litre.

It was also observed that other Nigerian filling stations, such as Ranoil in Gwarimpa, have reduced fuel pump prices by N5 to N935 per litre from N940.

Similarly, MRS and AP Ardova filling stations in Abuja are currently dispensing their petrol between N930 and N935.

The development comes as Dangote Refinery and depot owners such as Pinnacle and Aiteo dropped ex-depot prices by at least N10 to N846, N845, and N844 per litre, respectively, as of Thursday morning.

Earlier, the spokesperson of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Chinedu Ukadike, told DAILY POST that fuel prices may drop further as the ongoing petrol price war intensifies.

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Delta-billionaire Lawuru To Grace Ijaw Media Conference As Guest Of Honour

Published

14 hours ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

The President of Egbema Brotherhood, Alaowei Promise Lawuru, is expected to grace the forthcoming Ijaw Media Conference 2025, as a guest of honour.

The event is scheduled to hold on December 3rd, 2025, in Warri, Delta State.

The annual media conference organised by the Ijaw Publishers Forum with the theme ‘Safeguarding Niger Delta’s Natural Resources for Future Generations,’ is second edition of the series.

Lawuru, youthful politician and businessman’s willingness to appear as guest of honour was made known
when a delegation of the Central Working Committee led by Pastor Arex Akemotubo paid him a visit to inform him of the forthcoming event and his expected role.

In his presentation, Akemotubo explained that this year’s theme was chosen out of concern for the growing strain on the region’s land and waters.

The Publisher of WaffiTV stressed that the forum wants to strengthen public understanding, support honest reportage, and encourage leaders to protect what the Niger Delta holds for the next generation.

He addex that Lawuru’s history of service and steady involvement in community work made him a natural choice for the role.

Chief Lawuru welcomed the invitation and spoke warmly about the need for shared responsibility among stakeholders and groups such as the IPF.

He commended the forum for using the media to defend the region’s interests and promised full support for the conference.

Lawuru further urged other stakeholders across the Ijaw nation to lend their weight to efforts that safeguard the environment.