Vice President says acts of kindness and prayers would mean more to him than birthday celebrations, urging Nigerians to help people who cannot repay them.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged friends, supporters and well-wishers to forgo gifts, advertisements and lavish celebrations for his 60th birthday and instead channel the money towards charities, worthy causes or Nigerians in need.
Shettima made the appeal in a message published on Tuesday, ahead of his 60th birthday on Wednesday, September 2, saying the milestone had strengthened his conviction that birthdays should inspire reflection, gratitude and giving rather than material celebrations.
The Vice President said he had consistently asked his supporters not to spend money or undertake material ventures in his honour on his birthdays, but said he was “even more resolute” about the request as he reached 60.
“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,” Shettima said.
He urged anyone who had intended to spend money celebrating him to redirect the resources to a charity, cause or individual of their choice anywhere in Nigeria.
Shettima asks Nigerians to turn birthday into charity
The Vice President said the value of generosity should not be measured by the size of the donation, arguing that even small acts of kindness could significantly affect people in need.
“A nation is ennobled by the care it extends to those who need the strength of others. Our means may differ, but generosity is not measured only by the size of what we give,” he said.
Shettima said acts of kindness extended to other Nigerians would constitute a meaningful prayer on his behalf.
“For me, such an act is among the most eloquent prayers anyone can offer on my behalf,” he said.
Reflecting on his journey to 60, the Vice President acknowledged the role played by family, friends, teachers, colleagues, supporters, well-wishers and strangers in helping people reach significant stages in life.
He said Nigerians should repay such kindness by extending help to people who might never be in a position to reciprocate.
“Every hand that lifts another somewhere in Nigeria tomorrow will be a candle lit for me,” he said.
Shettima asks for prayers for Nigeria
Rather than birthday advertisements, gifts and celebrations, Shettima said he wanted prayers for himself and the country.
“What I ask for, in place of advertisements, gifts and celebrations, is prayer. Pray for me, and pray for Nigeria,” he said.
He asked Nigerians to pray for peace in their communities, prosperity for the people, wisdom for leaders and the fulfilment of Nigeria’s potential.
The Vice President also highlighted Nigeria’s industrious population, entrepreneurial spirit, youthful population and cultural diversity as some of the country’s major strengths.
He said the country’s youthful population, talent and ambition remained among its greatest national assets, while its diversity and ability to foster fellowship across differences were also sources of strength.
Shettima thanked his friends, supporters and well-wishers for their affection, loyalty and prayers over the years and urged Nigerians to embrace what he described as “the quiet joy of being useful to someone who may never be able to repay you”.
Shettima, born on September 2, 1966, in Maiduguri, Borno State, served as governor of Borno State from 2011 to 2019 before representing Borno Central in the Senate. He became Vice President after being sworn in alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29, 2023.
