VP SHETIMA- NO INTENTION TO RELOCATE FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS OUT OF ABUJA 27-01-24
By Sadiq Aminu Vice President Kashim Shettima says the Federal government has no plan to relocate agencies and institutions of the government out of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
Senator Shettima stated this at the tenth Sir Ahmadu Bello memorial lecture held at the multi-purpose hall of Government House, Maiduguri.
The tenth Sir Ahmodu Bello memorial lecture focus on tackling banditry and insurgency, through effective good governance, underscore the importance of addressing the root causes of insecurity that has bedevelled the region.
Vice President Kashim Shettima represented by the Special Adviser political, Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed, reiterated Federal government resolve to deploy every strategy to tackle multiple security challenges confronting northern Nigeria and other parts of the country.
He said President Bola Tinubu in this year’s budget, allocated largest share to the security sector, which demonstrate his commitment to addressing the menace.
The Vice President declared that the present administration will be just and fair to every part of the country.
“There is no truth in suggestions that the Federal government plans to relocate federal government’s institutions and agencies out of Abuja, beyond affecting administrative changes that will not disadvantage any part of this country, I repeat, this administration will not disadvantage any part of the country in favour of another ” Shettima stressed.
Senator Kashim Shettima appealed to political leaders and elders to actively involve in mediating conflicts to achieve sustainable peace in the region.
Chairman Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Gombe state, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya and the host Governor Professor Babagana Zulum observed that good governance is critical to curbing future insurgencies.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and one time President of the United Nations General Assembly, Professor Tijani Bande noted that to effectively fight insurgency and banditry, there was the need to rebuild trust, ensure quality education for all modernise agriculture, rebuild civil service and create credible media.
He also suggested the need to have a coordinating body that will identify and develop road maps for key priority areas to advance the course of the region.
Representative of the Senate President, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi and Chairman Board of Trustees, Sir Ahmodu Bello memorial foundation, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu all stressed the need for unity and strengthen institutions of government as well as the traditional rulers to achieve sustainable peace and development in Northern Nigeria.
Correspondent Sadiq Aminu reports that Foundation also presented lifetime and merit awards to four distinguished personalities including late Professor Emeritus Umaru Shehu, Professor Adamu Baikie, Professor Deborah Ajakaiye and Hajiya Aisha Nahuce.