Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has described Vice President Kashim Shettima as a statesman whose contributions to Nigeria transcend political office, as he celebrates his 60th birthday.

Otu said that Shettima’s journey from the banking profession to the nation’s second-highest office demonstrated how professional excellence, intellectual depth and experience could be transformed into effective public service.

The governor, in a goodwill message issued by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Linus Obogo, said Shettima’s 60th birthday offered Nigerians an opportunity to reflect on his “remarkable accomplishments, uncommon courage and enduring patriotic service.”

He specifically commended the Vice President’s background in banking, saying his experience in financial management, strategic thinking and institutional leadership had provided a strong foundation for his subsequent career in public service.

“From the banking profession to the highest echelons of national leadership, Your Excellency has demonstrated that excellence in one sphere can be transformed into uncommon value in another,” Otu said.

The governor also lauded Shettima’s record of service in Borno State and at the national level, noting that his leadership had been marked by intellectual sophistication, courage of conviction and an understanding of the complexities of governance.

He said the Vice President had demonstrated the capacity to navigate difficult national issues with composure and statesmanship, adding that his commitment to national cohesion, economic prosperity and institutional development had earned him respect across political and regional divides.

Otu described Shettima as “a patriot of considerable depth and a statesman whose contributions transcend the boundaries of political office.”

He said the Vice President’s public life was evidence of the value of deploying knowledge, experience and service to advance nation-building.

According to the governor, the significance of Shettima’s 60th birthday went beyond the celebration of age, describing the milestone as “a luminous moment to honour an accomplished life and an enduring legacy.

“At 60, you stand not merely as a beneficiary of the passage of time, but as a custodian of experiences, accomplishments and lessons that continue to enrich our national journey.”

Otu prayed for continued good health, wisdom, strength and divine grace for Shettima in the discharge of his responsibilities as Vice President.

He also wished him greater fulfilment in the years ahead, expressing the hope that the next chapters of his life would be marked by peace, fulfilment and abundant blessings.