Tinubu shuns Shettima’s embargo, celebrates VP at 58

President Bola Tinubu on Monday defied a prevailing embargo by Vice President Kashim Shettima, which restricted congratulatory messages on his birthday and proceeded to extend felicitations to his deputy as he marked his 58th on Monday.

Recall that Vice President Shettima last week placed a restriction on all kinds of congratulatory advertisements on pages of newspapers to celebrate his 58th birthday.

In a restraining appeal last Thursday, Shettima had pleaded against what he described as “elaborate pageantry” to mark the day.

The Vice President instead implored family members, friends, and associates who may wish to place goodwill messages as advertisements to kindly donate such funds to charity organisations and vulnerable citizens.

The appeal, signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Stanley Nkwocha, read: “On Monday, September 2, 2024, His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON, will turn 58 years old. This exceptional day marks another landmark moment for him to reflect and gauge how much ground he has covered in the course of his stewardship to the nation and its people, as a leader and public servant.

“The Vice President would not want elaborate pageantry marking the day. Accordingly, he has appealed to his fellow compatriots, associates, and numerous well-wishers across the country to resist the desire to place congratulatory birthday advertisements on pages of newspapers or utilise paid channels to convey their wishes and greetings.”

However, President Tinubu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Monday, said, “Vice-President Shettima is an academic, accomplished banking professional, raconteur, and leader.”

President Tinubu noted that his Vice President was the governor of Borno State from 2011 to 2019 and a senator representing Borno Central from 2019 to 2023, and joined family, friends, and members of the executive arm of government to “celebrate the quintessential administrator, orator, and bibliophile on this special occasion.”

The President commended Vice-President Shettima for the enthusiasm, vigour, and affability he brings to governance.

President Tinubu further thanked the Vice-President for his support and wished him robust health and renewed strength in his service to the nation.