Borno Governor, Kashim Shettima on Saturday night received an Award of Excellence for his efficient handling of the Boko Haram crisis in the State.
The award was conferred on him by over 300 journalists working in Abuja through their mother body, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, FCT council.
The event was well attended by hundreds of top and middle scale Nigerian journalists, including retired veterans from the media industry.
Dignitaries including diplomats, Senators, members of House of Representatives and some traditional rulers, attended the award dinner . Governor Shettima’s award was presented by spokesman of the United States Embassy, Russell Brooks.
Organized by the NUJ, the event held at the Ladi Kwali Hall of Sheraton Hotel in Abuja, bringing the 2017 NUJ Press Week to climax.
18 journalists were presented with merit awards and six non-journalists including Governor Kashim Shettima were singled out and honoured for their exceptional performance in handling of public offices after a thorough assessment by journalists.
The theme of the Press Week was ‘Journalism and the Nationalism Question’ which focused on the role of journalists in building unity amongst Nigerians.
Guest speaker at the occasion was Senator Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Chairman of Southern Senators Forum.
Addressing the gathering, Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau, who represented Governor Shettima made reference to remarks by Uzodinma.
He said: “The Guest Speaker, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma said something I find attractive. In the course of his well researched and thought provoking lecture, he talked about the need to eliminate the indigene and settler dichotomy from the Nigerian constitution to foster de-emphasize issues of where people come from.
“When the Guest Speaker was delivering that lecture, I saw Governor Kashim Shettima in him because Shettima has since been practising what the Senator is advocating.
“To cite myself as instance, I am hail from Zamfara State in the northwest, I am a Hausa man with Fulani ancestry but since Governor Shettima’s first term I have been his spokesman and you know Borno is a majority Kanuri State in the northeast, Nigeria.
“In Governor Shettima’s cabinet since 2011, there is an Ibo man from Anambra who has always been a powerful Special Adviser to the Governor. In Shettima’s cabinet since 2011, there has always been an Urhobo man from Delta State who works very closely with the Governor as Senior Special Assistant.
“In the cabinet, there is a Yoruba man, a Benin man, Special Assistants from Bauchi, from Gombe. Simply put Shettima has in place, a mini Nigeria working with him.
“So, to align with what the eloquent Senator Hope Uzodinma said, I think we need to translate words to action. I am sure he spoke from his heart but we should look forward to day day when Senator Uzodinma will appoint or sponsor a northerner and support him to win an elective position even if it is for councilorship in Imo State”, Gusau said to a laud ovation.
On what Governor Shettima thinks of ‘Journalism and the Nationalism Question’ being the theme of the event, Gusau said “Governor Shettima believes that Nigerian journalists, particularly those operating in Borno State, have played a crucial role in the continued existence of the State in the face of Boko Haram”.
The spokesman recalled that in August during the Borno NUJ combined Press Week, Governor Shettima made reference to 2013 when Boko Haram had taken over the northern Borno and were advancing to other sections of the State.
“He specifically noted that media reports which revealed the advancement of the insurgents, was what led to the declaration of State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States by the Jonathan administration in May, 2013; a move he admitted helped greatly in slowing down the sect.
“Governor Shettima sees journalists as part of the heroes of Borno State in the face of the Boko Haram crisis. It was through journalists that the activities of the insurgents became of public knowledge and it was journalists that brought the attention of the world to Borno” Gusau said.
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