Vice President Kashim Shettima has said attaining the age of 60 has further deepened his conviction that the true measure of life is not determined by the wealth and possessions one acquires, but by the positive impact one makes and what one gives back to humanity.
Key Highlights
- Shettima marks 60th birthday.
- VP rejects birthday gifts and lavish celebrations.
- Urges Nigerians to support charities and people in need.
- Says life’s true measure is positive impact.
- Calls for prayers for Nigeria and its leaders.
Shettima, who marked his 60th birthday on Wednesday, September 2, said the milestone offered him an opportunity for deeper reflection on life, service and the responsibility of every individual to contribute meaningfully to society.
In a message shared on his verified X handle on the eve of his birthday, the vice president appealed to friends, supporters, associates and admirers not to spend money on gifts, advertisements or elaborate celebrations in his honour.
Instead, he urged Nigerians to channel whatever resources they intended to spend on him towards charities, worthy causes and people in need across the country.
“Tomorrow, by the grace of God, I turn sixty,” Shettima said, describing the message as both a reminder and a request ahead of the goodwill expected to accompany his birthday.
According to him, reaching the age of 60 had changed the questions he considered most important in life, replacing impulse and vanity with reflection, gratitude and a greater commitment to service.
“This year, as I turn sixty, I am even more resolute about that request. 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,” he said.
“It is an age that asks fewer questions about what one has gathered and far more searching questions about what one has contributed.”
The vice president renewed his appeal to Nigerians not to spend money on material gifts or undertake expensive activities in his honour.
“Please do not spend a kobo on a gift for me, nor undertake any venture of material consequence in my honour,” he appealed.
He urged those wishing him well to redirect whatever funds they had planned to use for birthday celebrations towards a charity, cause or individual of their choice anywhere in Nigeria.
Shettima said compassion and generosity remained essential ingredients for building a stronger and more humane society, stressing that kindness was not measured by the amount of money involved.
“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.
“Sometimes the smallest kindness arrives at precisely the moment another person needs to be reminded that humanity has not forgotten them.”
He said acts of kindness towards others would represent the most meaningful gifts anyone could offer him as he celebrated his 60th birthday.
“For me, such an act is among the most eloquent prayers anyone can offer on my behalf,” Shettima stated.
Reflecting on his journey through life, the Vice President acknowledged the roles played by family members, friends, teachers, colleagues, supporters, well-wishers and even strangers.
He said no individual reaches any meaningful stage in life entirely through personal efforts, noting that people often benefit from the kindness, encouragement and support of others.
According to him, the most appropriate way to repay such kindness is by extending a helping hand to those who may never be able to reciprocate.
“It is only fitting that we repay such debts in the currency in which they were incurred: by extending kindness to those who may never be in a position to repay us,” he said.
In a symbolic appeal to Nigerians, Shettima urged citizens to turn his birthday into a day of compassion and service to others.
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“Every hand that lifts another somewhere in Nigeria tomorrow will be a candle lit for me,” he declared.
The vice president also requested prayers for himself and the country, saying he would prefer them to expensive advertisements, gifts and elaborate celebrations.
“What I ask for, in place of advertisements, gifts and celebrations, is prayer. Pray for me, and pray for Nigeria,” he said.
He called on Nigerians to pray for peace across communities, prosperity for the people, wisdom for leaders and the fulfilment of the country’s enormous promise.
Shettima expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, pointing to the country’s industrious population, entrepreneurial spirit and youthful demographic as some of its greatest national assets.
As he begins a new decade of his life, the Vice President urged Nigerians to embrace the fulfilment that comes from being useful to others and making a positive difference in their communities.
He wished Nigerians long life, good health and fulfilment, while encouraging them to find lasting joy in helping people who may never be able to repay their kindness.
