Bisi Fayemi, Olorunyomi, others hail Kole Shettima at AFF impact series

Leading voices in Nigeria’s civil society community have described the MacArthur Foundation Director for Nigeria, Kole Shettima as a blessing to the country.
The speakers, including feminist activist and policy advocate, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; media entrepreneur, Simon Kolawole; television host, Kadaria Ahmed, and about 15 others who spoke on Shettima reeled out beautiful attributes, listing various ways through which Shettima used MacArthur Foundation to impact individuals and civil society bodies in Nigeria to promote transparency and credibility in governance.

According to the founder of Akin Fadeyi Foundation (AFF), organiser of the event, ‘the Impact Series with Kole Shettima’ was put together not only to celebrate the anti-corruption investor but to create a forum for members of the civil society community to engage, evaluate and give advice where necessary on good governance and fight against corruption. Fadeyi described Dr. Shettima as one change agent who lives and wakes with a thought on how to better Nigeria.

Erelu Fayemi, who described Shattima as a brother and friend who has done a lot to lift Nigeria and make leaders accountable, commended Akin Fadeyi Foundation for organising the impact series in honour of Shettima, while he’s still alive and charged all the guests on the platform to begin thinking of how best to celebrate their loved ones and leaders while they are alive.
 
“Today is special for me because we all gather on this platform to speak about one man who has done a lot to change our country’s narrative. Dr. Shettima is one man who has created a way to make Nigerian leaders accountable despite the challenges associated with such endeavour. Shettima has made it possible for us to look power in the face and ask questions where necessary. To me, he is a real hero and we must all begin to learn one or two things from him to further impact our various societies,” Erelu Fayemi said.

Media entrepreneur and Publisher of The Cable Online, Simon Kolawole, who commended Shettima’s contribution to advancement of press freedom and media development, highlighted the various leadership qualities in Shetima which all leaders who wish to succeed must imbibe.

A priest, who doubles as the Executive Director, Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, Rev. Fr. George Ehusanni, while commending Shettima for his contribution to humanity, said he was personally impressed that Shettima is accessible. According to him, he had only read or heard of his name prior to when Shettima called and suggested an area of collaboration. According to Ehusanni, that singular call has created a lot of opportunities for his foundation.

A Professor from Bayero University, Kano, Radda Sadiq Isah disclosed to participants on the platform that Shettima is one man whose contribution to Bayero University is difficult to forget. 

Reacting to the torrent of tributes in his honour, Shettima admitted that what Akin Fadeyi Foundation did was nothing but a bloodless coup, commending the organisers for their generous humbling contributions.
 
He also applauded the contributions of his team members for the impact he has made,  adding that without their support he couldn’t have done it alone. He said: “The kind of people you work with always make the difference. Pay attention to the people you work with. I personally always care a lot about people and the foundation has helped me actualise my dreams.”