Vice President Kashim Shettima has appealed to Nigerians, friends, associates and well-wishers not to spend money on gifts or elaborate celebrations as he clocks 60, urging them instead to channel such resources towards charitable causes and people in need.
Shettima made the appeal in a birthday message ahead of his 60th birthday, expressing gratitude for the goodwill, prayers, and affection he has received from Nigerians over the years.
The Vice President said turning 60 had reinforced his conviction that birthdays should be occasions for reflection, gratitude and service rather than material accumulation.
“Sixty is an age at which our people expect a man to have exchanged impulse for reflection, vanity for gratitude, and the desire to accumulate for the wisdom to give,” he said.
He urged those who intended to honour him with gifts or material gestures to instead support a charity, cause or individual of their choice anywhere in Nigeria.
According to him, generosity should not be measured solely by the size of the contribution, stressing that even small acts of kindness could make a significant difference in the life of someone in need.
“For me, such an act is among the most eloquent prayers anyone can offer on my behalf,” Shettima said.
The Vice President acknowledged the role played by family members, friends, teachers, colleagues, supporters, well-wishers and strangers in helping individuals attain meaningful milestones in life.
He said reaching the age of 60 was therefore an opportunity to repay the kindness received from others by extending similar support to people who might never have the opportunity to reciprocate.
“Every hand that lifts another somewhere in Nigeria tomorrow will be a candle lit for me,” he said.
Rather than receiving birthday gifts, Shettima asked Nigerians to pray for him and the country, particularly for peace in communities, prosperity for Nigerians, wisdom for the nation’s leaders and the realisation of Nigeria’s potential.
He described Nigeria as a country blessed with an industrious population, a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a youthful population whose talent, ambition and creativity remained among the nation’s greatest assets.
The Vice President also highlighted Nigeria’s cultural diversity and the ability of its people to build relationships across ethnic and cultural differences as enduring strengths of the country.
“Ours is a country blessed with an industrious people, an extraordinary instinct for enterprise, a generosity that travels easily across family and community, and a youthful population whose imagination, talent and ambition remain among our greatest national assets,” he said.
Shettima thanked Nigerians for their loyalty, friendship, affection and prayers over the years, wishing them long life, good health and fulfilment.
He also prayed that Nigerians would experience “the quiet joy of being useful to someone who may never be able to repay you.”
