Vice President Kashim Shettima has attributed the recent wave of vandalism and looting of public and private facilities in parts of northern Nigeria to poor leadership, widespread corruption, and entrenched poverty in the region.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony for 20 indigent pupils of Hau’wa Memorial School (HMS), owned by AMA Foundation, Shettima, represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmad, lamented the long-standing toleration of social vices, which he said has bred a generation with little regard for authority or the rule of law. He noted that the accumulation of these problems has led to the destruction of lives and property during the nationwide protests against economic hardship.
“For too long we have tolerated poverty, corruption, poor leadership, and we can see the result—a generation that has come up that has no respect for God, for the law of the land, for leadership, and for our values,” Shettima said.
The vice president expressed the federal government’s commitment, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to restoring Nigeria’s prosperity so that future generations can benefit from the legacies of past leaders like Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto.
Reflecting on the recent unrest, Shettima stated, “In the last two weeks, the country has gone through difficult times, mostly led by youth—young people who are angry because they are hungry, young people who do not see any prospects for a better future, young people who think the government does not care about them, and young people who have no respect for any authority because they believe every authority has let them down.”
He urged young Nigerians to channel their anger constructively towards changing the political system, which he described as defective and producing unfit leaders. He also called on parents to be more involved in the upbringing of their children, emphasizing that there is no justification for stealing or looting.
Shettima concluded by encouraging the graduating pupils to prioritize hard work and integrity as they build their futures, stating, “We have to work hard for this country and believe that Nigeria can be fixed. If the politics we are running are not conducive, change it; if the system we are operating is not producing good leadership, peace, and security, change it—but do not walk away from the service of the people who have no one else to look up to.”
He assured the graduates that the government is committed to creating an environment where they can pursue their education and livelihoods without fear.