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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Vice President Kassim Shettima has stressed that President Bola Tinubu is not politicising insecurity in the country, but committed to addressing it.
He stated this yesterday in Abuja at a book launch, titled, “My Life and Journalists Hangout,” authored by TVC Director of News, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju.
“Be rest assured that the issue of security we have highlighted is receiving the toughest attention from President Bola Tinubu.
“I am telling you that we are very much concerned. We are very much worried because the essence of government is to provide security to lives and property.
“The President is very much concerned and he is leaving no stone unturned to see that the issue of security of lives and property of Nigerians are addressed,” he said.
Also, he disclosed that in 2023, supporters of Mr. Peter Obi, popularly known as Obidient Movement accused him of recruiting terrorists during the electioneering. He said that was not the truth.
He recalled how Babajide Kolade-Otitoju (BKO) called him for clarification, which he did and cleared the air.
“At the height of the 2023 political campaign, a video emerged purportedly of Kassim 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 evidence 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 breadth 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.
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“Eleven of them are now studying medicine and nursing at the University of Maiduguri. And to the eternal credit of Governor Babagana Zulum, we built a school named after the former first lady, Aisha Buhari. We are feeding them two meals per day.
“One thing that he did that endeared him more to me was the fact that after my exit from office, he sustained our relationship. 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.
“We were releasing N15 million every month for the upkeep of those Fulani wards. And we specially designed that school for the Fulani.”
Chairman, Governors’ Forum, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, solicited more support for the armed forces in the fight against terrorism.
He also commended the media for balancing reportage on the activities of banditry without energising their crime.
He said: “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. 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.
Earlier, the author, Kolade-Otitoju, had charged the government to double its efforts to address insecurity, adding that it should embrace international collaboration, if needed to ensure that bandits are subdued.
He said: “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 confident that solution will come sooner than we think.”
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.
