Vice President Kashim Shettima has said effective leadership requires courage and the willingness to make difficult decisions, insisting that leaders cannot afford to prioritise popularity over national interest.
Speaking at the Niger Delta Agricultural Development and Investment Summit in Abuja on Wednesday, Shettima said true leadership is demonstrated through decisive action and responsibility.
He praised Rwandan President Paul Kagame for his leadership but cautioned against comparing Nigeria with smaller African nations without considering the country’s size and population.
According to him, countries such as Botswana, Seychelles and Rwanda have significantly smaller populations than Nigeria, making governance challenges different.
“What is the population of Botswana? Not more than Somolu Local Government Area of Lagos. What is the population of Seychelles? Not more than two wards in Kano metropolis. The population of Rwanda is about half the population of Lagos State. Numbers count. Take it or leave it, Nigeria is a great nation,” he said.
The Vice President also urged Nigerians to revive the country’s agricultural heritage, describing agriculture as the foundation of the nation’s economy and a major source of employment and economic growth.
He noted that the sector had historically created opportunities for millions of Nigerians and remains crucial to the country’s development.
Shettima further commended Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno for his swift response to a proposed $500 million investment in Nigeria’s oil palm industry.
He disclosed that representatives of a leading Malaysian oil palm company recently met with him alongside their Nigerian partners to discuss plans to invest in the sector.
According to Shettima, after contacting Governor Eno, the governor immediately approved the commencement of the project, which will begin with the cultivation of 10,000 hectares of oil palm in Akwa Ibom State.
Describing the governor’s response as an example of effective leadership, Shettima stressed that leaders must be prepared to make tough decisions.
“Leadership means walking the talk. Leadership is about taking tough decisions. Leadership is not meant for nice men. Nice men should be selling chocolates and ice cream,” he said.
