Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerian public servants to embrace selflessness, excellence, discipline and consistency as the foundation for building enduring institutions and legacies.
He said sustainable impact in public service is achieved through resilience, strength of character and unwavering commitment to excellence, regardless of challenges.
Shettima spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at a colloquium marking the 50th birthday of Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Delivery Coordination Unit.
He stressed that leadership requires sacrifice, noting that good intentions without willingness to pay the price of service amount to wishful thinking.
The Vice President described Usman as a role model for young Nigerian women and a symbol of purposeful leadership built on quiet diligence rather than public applause.
According to him, her influence in public service was earned through courage, clarity of vision and consistent excellence, particularly in demanding policy spaces.
Shettima added that Usman’s achievements were deliberate and sustained by commitment to the hard work of nation-building.
Earlier, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, described Usman’s life as a reflection of discipline and urged her to remain steadfast in advancing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the colloquium honoured a life defined by purpose and impactful service, recalling her reforms at the Nigerian Ports Authority which raised leadership standards.
Other speakers, including Youth Development Minister Ayodele Olawande and NEMA Director-General Zubaida Umar Abubakar, praised Usman’s commitment to public institutions and national development.
In her remarks, Usman expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima and others, while reaffirming her commitment to supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Bello Wakili
