Vice President Kashim Shettima has appealed to Nigerians, friends, supporters and associates not to spend money on gifts or elaborate celebrations for his 60th birthday, asking them instead to direct such resources to charities, worthy causes or people in need.
Shettima, who turns 60 on Wednesday, made the appeal in a statement shared on his X account on Tuesday night, saying he was “even more resolute” in his longstanding request as he reached the milestone.
Reflecting on the goodwill he has received over the years, the Vice President said he remained grateful for the affection, prayers and support that have accompanied his birthdays.
“Over the years, I have been deeply humbled by the affection, prayers and goodwill that have accompanied my birthdays.
“Such occasions leave one grateful for the friendships, fellowships and bonds accumulated across the years,” he said.
However, Shettima reiterated his appeal to those planning to celebrate him.
“Yet there is one appeal I have consistently made to my friends, supporters, well-wishers, associates and admirers, far and near: please do not spend a kobo on a gift for me, nor undertake any venture of material consequence in my honour.”
According to the Vice President, reaching 60 has strengthened his belief that birthdays should be marked by giving rather than material celebrations.
“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.
“It is an age that asks fewer questions about what one has gathered and far more searching questions about what one has contributed,” Shettima said.
He urged Nigerians who intend to honour him to instead use the money they would have spent on birthday gestures to support people and causes in need.
“I therefore appeal once again to everyone who wishes me well not to spend money marking my day, but to channel whatever resources they may have intended for such gestures to a charity, cause or person of their choice anywhere in our country,” he said.
Shettima stressed that acts of kindness, no matter how small, could have a significant impact on those going through difficult times.
“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.
“Sometimes the smallest kindness arrives at precisely the moment another person needs to be reminded that humanity has not forgotten them. For me, such an act is among the most eloquent prayers anyone can offer on my behalf,” the vice president stated.
Looking back on his journey to 60, Shettima said nobody achieves meaningful milestones entirely through personal effort, noting the role played by family, friends, teachers, colleagues, supporters and even strangers.
“None of us arrives at sixty, or indeed at any meaningful station in life, entirely by our own strength. We are all beneficiaries of the kindness of family, friends, teachers, colleagues, supporters, well-wishers and, sometimes, strangers who had nothing to gain from extending a hand to us.
“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 added.
The Vice President also asked Nigerians to replace birthday advertisements, gifts and celebrations with prayers for him 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 urged Nigerians to pray for peace, prosperity and good governance, while describing the country’s population, enterprise and diversity as important national strengths.
“Pray for the peace of our communities, the prosperity of our people, the wisdom of our leaders and the fulfilment of the immense promise of this nation,” Shettima said.
“Ours is a country blessed with an industrious people, an extraordinary instinct for enterprise, a generosity that travels easily across family and community, and a youthful population whose imagination, talent and ambition remain among our greatest national assets.”
He added, “Our diversity is a vast inheritance, our cultures are reservoirs of strength, and our capacity to find fellowship across difference is one of the enduring beauties of the Nigerian spirit.”
Shettima concluded by thanking Nigerians for their support and goodwill over the years and wishing them “long life, good health, fulfilment in all that is noble, and the quiet joy of being useful to someone who may never be able to repay you.”
