NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Politics

Shettima urges NASS to shun division, partisanship

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NASS

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has charged the National Assembly to uphold good leadership qualities, prioritise unity and national development over political divisions and partisan interests.

He made the call on Monday when President Bola Tinubu hosted the leadership and members of the House of Representatives to Iftar (breaking of Ramadan fast) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Shettima, who spoke on behalf of President Tinubu, also urged lawmakers to embrace their responsibility with humility and a shared commitment to progress.

He said “In the end, history will not judge us by the number of personal battles we fought against one another, but by the bridges we were able to build together.

“We are gathered here this evening not as adversaries in a contest for power, but as partners in the noble task of nation-building.”

Reflecting on the significance of Ramadan, which coincides with the Lenten season, the Vice-President called for deep introspection and a reaffirmation of commitment to Nigeria’s unity.

Shettima said the government’s economic policies were yielding results, adding that the economy has turned the corner.

The Vice-President also lauded the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, and the House leadership for fostering harmony within the legislature.

Shettima urged the leaders to govern with empathy, fairness, and justice, reminding them that their positions were a sacred trust of the Nigerian people.

“Leadership is not about personal gain; it is about service. It is a burden vested in us by God, tested by history, and measured by the impact we leave behind,” he said.

Earlier, Abbas thanked President Tinubu for the invitation to break fast with him and for always showing respect and concern for the House of Representatives.

“As we all know, the month of Ramadan entails many things, one of them is reflection; where were you before, where are you now and where do you want to be?

” I believe Nigeria, more than ever before, needs this type of reflection,” he said.

He implored both Christians and Muslims to dedicate the fasting period to pray for the country.

The Speaker said Nigerians knew what the Tinubu administration had achieved within just two years and the period offered a moment for every Nigerian to reflect and pray for the country.

“Prayers for the economy; prayers for improved security, prayers for the leaders and prayers for the citizens.”

He pledged that every member of the House of Representatives was in support of the President.

He noted that the policies of the government were for the betterment of the people and Nigeria as a country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on behalf of the House of Reps, Abbas donated N705 million to the President.

According to him, the money is a six-month 50 per cent deduction from their salaries to augment the humanitarian engagements of Mr President and to support vulnerable people in the country. (NAN)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

General News

Shettima calls for unity to sustain Tinubu’s reform

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Unity

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, has called for unity and collaboration among leaders to sustain the gains  of President Bola Tinubu’s reforms.

Shettima made the call during an Iftar hosted by President Tinubu for Senate leaders at the new State House Banquet Hall in Abuja.

Shettima emphasised that Nigeria had reached a crucial point where Tinubu’s bold leadership and well-thought-out policies must be properly executed to create lasting change.

He noted that Nigerians were beginning to see the benefits of these reforms, such as falling food prices, lower petrol costs, and stability in the forex market.

He also highlighted the economy’s projected growth of 4.3 to 4.6 per cent in 2025, commending Tinubu’s “bold vision” and courageous decisions.

Shettima urged political leaders to collaborate in maintaining this momentum, stating that unity was essential for the nation’s progress.

He expressed gratitude to the Senate for its cooperative relationship with the executive branch and urged lawmakers to see themselves as one family, regardless of political affiliation.

“What unites us supersedes whatever divides us,” he said, assuring of continued collaboration between the two arms of government.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio thanked President Tinubu for his support of the 10th Senate and pledged continued cooperation.

He prayed for divine wisdom and good health for both the President and Vice- President, to ensure the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The event was attended by key senators, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, and former Senate President Ahmed Lawan.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Education

Unite against poverty, destitution, Shettima urges northerners

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North

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged northerners to form a single force to fight poverty and destitution irrespective of their political affiliations, religious persuasion, tribal or sectional backgrounds.

Shettima made the call when he hosted a delegation of Southern Kaduna stakeholders on a thank you visit to the Presidential Villa on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the southern Kaduna stakeholders, led by Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, were at the Villa to thank President Bola Tinubu for approving the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Science, Kachia, Kaduna State.

The Vice-President declared that the people of the north had no business  fighting one another, saying “what binds us together supercedes whatever divides us.

“Let’s unite and fight the scourge of poverty, destitution and backwardness.”

Shettima said President Tinubu had directed the Minister of Education to capture the new Federal University of Applied Science, Kachia, in the 2025 budget to enable the institution start academic activities by September.

Shettima also empahaised the need for northerners to accommodate and tolerate one another for the common good of the region.

“We should learn to accommodate and embrace one another; because for us in the North we are all united by our common heritage of poverty and destitution.

“The North is the poverty capital of the world. Of the 22 million out-of-school children, 20 million are from the North. So, we have no business fighting one another.

“We are essentially the same people. The Nok culture is one of the most celebrated cultures in Africa,” said Shettima.

The Vice-President commended Sani for the ongoing reconstruction of some major artery roads in Southern Kaduna.

Sani assured that Kaduna State government would issue the Certificate of Occupancy of the Southern Kaduna University, Kachia, land within seven days.

On his part, Mr Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, said the university would bring new opportunities to youths and women in the state and across the country.

“This university will offer various courses in areas of applied sciences, medicine, pharmacy, nursing and physiotherapy.

“The President has mandated that the first set of students of the university should be admitted during this academic session.

“I have commissioned a team of senior staff at the Federal Ministry of Education as well as the National University Commission to immediately do the verification of the asset that is there,” said the minister. (NAN)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

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General News

No Nigerian pilgrim will miss 2025 Hajj – Shettima

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has assured that no Nigerian intending pilgrim will miss the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Shettima stated this during a meeting with the Management and Board of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), on Monday Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shettima summoned the meeting following the reported contractual dispute between NAHCON and Saudi service provider, Mashariq Al-Dhahabiah, which may lead to visa denials for Nigerian pilgrims.

The Vice-President also emphasised that the 2025 Hajj operations would be hitch free.

Shettima directed the leadership of NAHCON to take all necessary measures to ensure a smooth and unhindered pilgrimage for all the nation’s intending pilgrims.

“We will not allow any Nigerian intending pilgrim to miss the 2025 Hajj. The pilgrimage will be seamless, and every challenge will be addressed promptly,” Shettima assured.

He directed NAHCON leadership to take all necessary steps to protect the interests of Nigerian pilgrims.

“NAHCON must do whatever it takes to guarantee the full participation of our pilgrims without any hindrance.

“From now on, we must have to set the right standards, move in the right direction and have a hitch-free Hajj exercise.”

On the purported contract cancellation with the Saudi-based company, NAHCON Chairman, Prof. Saleh Usman, reassured Nigerians that the issue would not affect the pilgrimage.

“There is no cause for alarm. No single registered pilgrim will be left behind,” Usman said.

He also dismissed allegations by the Forum of Chief Executive Officers of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies and Commissions that the contract dispute could truncate the 2025 Hajj operations.

NAN recalls that the Forum through its Secretary, Abubakar Salihu, had raised concern over the cancellation of the service provider contract by the Chairman of NAHCON, Prof. Saleh Usman.

The forum argued that thousands of Nigerian intending pilgrims might not perform the 2025 Hajj due to the cancellation of service provider contract by NAHCON leadership. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

AfCFTA Trade House
Economy/Business

Shettima reaffirms Nigeria’s resolve to champion AfCFTA

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AfCFTA

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, says Nigeria is ready to spearhead the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Shettima said this at a forum of Friends of AfCFTA on the sidelines of the ongoing 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

While addressing the forum tagged, “Forum Friends of AfCFTA: Turning Digital Trade into a Catalyst for Growth in Africa,” Shettima said Nigeria was committed to AfCFTA as a vehicle for shared prosperity.

He said Africa was in a unique position to take advantage of global talent deficits.

The Vice-President cited a Korn Ferry study that projected a global human talent shortage of more than 85 million people by 2030.

“By 2050, Nigeria’s population will surpass that of the U.S. becoming the third most populous nation on earth at 440 million people,” he stated.

Shettima said Nigeria’s technological strength was propelling it into the knowledge age.

“Today, we have 220 million telecom subscribers and 163 million internet users in Nigeria alone.

“This provides us with immense opportunities to empower our people. While our highest oil export earnings were 35 billion dollars in 2011, India last year earned about 120 billion dollars from outsourcing alone.

“The African Continental Free Trade Area is not only an economic arrangement but a bold statement of our shared destiny,” he said.

Aligning with Shettima, Mr Borge Brende, the WEF President, said Africa’s demographic advantage presented huge economic opportunities for the continent.

He noted that while most nations faced workforce challenges, Africa’s young population positioned it for unprecedented growth.

“If the Secretary General of the AfCFTA is given all the support he deserves, we can boost intra-African trade by a staggering 50 per cent.

“As of today, 29 trillion dollars represents one-third of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Africa is such a growing continent, and one of its key promises is demography.

“The challenge now is creating new jobs for the youth population,” he stated. (NAN)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

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General News

Nigeria will explore viable, sustainable solutions to transportation- Shettima 

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

Nigera will continue to explore viable and sustainable solutions towards solving its transportation challenges.

It will also collaborate with relevant players in the private sector to work out alternatives for the challenge to achieve optimum result.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima stated this on Thursday during a facility tour of the Scania headquarters in Södertälje, Sweden.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Scania is a world leading provider of transport solutions.

The visit is a strategic engagement to discuss Nigeria’s market potential and explore deeper collaboration opportunities.

It focused on Biofuel solutions for Nigeria’s transport sector which aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s push for cleaner and efficient transportation, with emphasis on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

On arrival at the company, Shettima was received by the Head of Sales Africa, Middle East and Central Asia, Mr Fredrik Wijkander.

They had discussions to innovative solutions to ease Nigeria’s transportation challenges through heavy-duty trucks and buses.

The company expertise is expected to play a crucial role in modernising Nigeria’s transport infrastructure.

NAN reports that the Vice-President, who is on a two-day working visit to Sweden, held a close-door meeting with its Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson. (NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

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