Vice President Kashim Shettima has issued a powerful call to Nigeria's public servants, urging them to embrace selflessness, discipline, and consistency to build lasting legacies in governance. He made this declaration at a special colloquium held in Abuja on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, to mark the 50th birthday of Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination.
The Call for Purpose-Driven Service
Addressing dignitaries and public officials, Vice President Shettima emphasized that enduring institutions are not built on spectacle or public applause, but through daily discipline and the courage to manage complex governance challenges. He stated that resilience, strength of character, and an unwavering commitment to excellence are the true foundations of impactful leadership.
"If we are to raise generations ready to lead with purpose, to deliver with excellence and to serve with courage, we must remember this truth: intention without the willingness to pay the price of service remains wishful thinking," Shettima cautioned. He praised the celebrant, Hadiza Bala Usman, describing her as a role model whose career was forged through quiet responsibility, diligence, and a focus on strengthening institutions.
"Her place in our public service history is secure. What she has become is the product of decisions taken quietly, responsibilities carried fully and institutions strengthened with care," the Vice President noted. He highlighted her rare combination of grace, grit, clarity, courage, and a vision anchored in excellence as the blueprint for her deliberate rise in public service.
Dignitaries Honour a Principled Career
The event saw tributes from top government officials who lauded Usman's disciplined approach to public service. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, described her life as a shining example of commitment and urged her to remain steadfast in advancing President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, recalled Usman's impactful tenure, particularly at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). He noted that her transition into government introduced much-needed structure, clarity, and reforms that raised the standards of leadership and service delivery at the agency.
Other speakers, including the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, and the Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar Abubakar, commended her consistent support for youth initiatives and her principled leadership characterized by quiet conviction and fidelity to values.
Abah's Keynote: Leadership as a Privilege, Not a Right
Delivering the keynote address, renowned governance expert and former public servant, Dr. Joe Abah, framed senior-level public service as a rare privilege. He reminded the audience that out of over 240 million Nigerians, only a tiny fraction ever serve at such levels.
"It is not a right; it is a privilege to be deemed worthy to shape the lives of fellow citizens," Abah stated. He urged those entrusted with leadership to exercise humility, restraint, and courage. In a significant warning for the digital age, Abah noted that performance alone is no longer sufficient.
"Your work no longer speaks for you. You must speak for your work," he advised, cautioning against the abuse of delegated authority. He described governance as "harder than rocket science" due to the complexities of identity, politics, and competing interests, urging patience as the impact of reforms often materializes long after officials have left office.
Abah concluded with a timeless admonition: "A good name is more desirable than riches," encouraging public servants to stand for what is right, even if they must stand alone.
A Celebrant's Emotional Pledge
In her response, an emotional Hadiza Bala Usman expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, and all dignitaries for their support. Reflecting on her journey in election planning since 2015 and her stewardship at the NPA, she recommitted herself to the Renewed Hope Agenda and to continued service in the national interest.
The colloquium served not only as a birthday celebration but as a profound reflection on the values necessary for transformative leadership and nation-building in Nigeria.
