Vice President Kashim Shettima has attributed the recent vandalism and looting in parts of Northern Nigeria to long-standing issues of poor leadership, corruption, and pervasive poverty in the region. He expressed that these challenges have been tolerated for too long, leading to the emergence of a generation with little regard for God, law, or societal values.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of 20 indigent pupils from Hau’wa Memorial School (HMS), owned by the AMA Foundation, Shettima, represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmad, emphasized the need for a complete overhaul of the system. He noted that the accumulated problems in the region have contributed to the destruction of lives and property during nationwide protests against economic hardship.
“For too long, we have tolerated poverty, corruption, and poor leadership, and now we see the consequences—a generation that has no respect for God, the law, leadership, or our values,” Shettima stated.
The Vice President assured that the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is committed to making Nigeria work for future generations, just as past generations benefited from the legacies of leaders like the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello.
Reflecting on recent events, Shettima remarked, “In the last two weeks, the country has faced difficult times, mostly driven by young people who are angry and hungry, who feel the government does not care about them. They have no respect for authority because they believe every authority has let them down.”
He urged the youth to direct their frustration towards the political system, which he described as defective, producing leaders unfit for governance. Shettima also called on parents to take a more active role in raising their children, stressing that there is no justification for looting or stealing.
“We must work hard to rebuild this country, showing our children that they can succeed through hard work, just as previous generations did,” he added. Shettima also encouraged the graduating pupils to embrace hard work and integrity as they move forward in life.
Shiekh Ahmed Gumi, who spoke at the event, described the protests as a wake-up call for leaders to address societal needs and curtail lawlessness. The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Abdulsalami Nasidi, emphasized the importance of educating and empowering the youth as a means to revive the North, noting that nation-building begins with nurturing the child.
Musa Abdullahi, Executive Chairman of AMA Foundation, urged the graduating pupils to be good ambassadors of the school and to use the knowledge they have gained to positively impact their communities.
