Shettima Urges Selfless Service, Celebrates Hadiza Bala Usman at 50

Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerian public servants to uphold selflessness, discipline and excellence as the foundation for building enduring legacies in governance, saying lasting impact in public service comes from consistency, resilience and strength of character.

Shettima gave the charge on Tuesday in Abuja at a colloquium held to mark the 50th birthday of Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Delivery Coordination Unit.

The event brought together top government officials, technocrats and public service leaders to reflect on leadership, service delivery and nation building.

According to the Vice President, institutions are not strengthened by spectacle or applause but by quiet decisions, sustained effort and a willingness to bear the cost of service.

He said public servants must recognise that good intentions alone are not enough without the discipline and sacrifice required to translate ideas into impact.

“If we are to raise more generations of Nigerians ready to lead with purpose and deliver with excellence, we must remember this truth: intention without the willingness to pay the price of service remains wishful thinking,” Shettima said.

He described Hadiza Bala Usman as a defining figure in Nigeria’s public service space, noting that her influence was earned through deliberate choices and a consistent commitment to excellence rather than public acclaim.

The Vice President said her career stands as proof that leadership built on courage, clarity and hard work can shape national direction.

Shettima also highlighted the symbolic importance of Usman’s journey, particularly for young women in northern Nigeria who are still seeking validation that ambition and leadership are attainable.

He said her rise into critical policy roles at a relatively young age demonstrated that her achievements were neither accidental nor handed to her, but earned through resilience and competence.

“There is no doubt that Hadiza’s place in our public service history is secure,” he added, urging her example to continue inspiring those who believe service, when done well, can uplift a nation.

Earlier, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, described Usman as a model of discipline and focus in public service.

He encouraged her to remain steadfast in advancing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, expressing confidence that her future years would be marked by even greater contributions to national development.

Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the colloquium was organised to honour a life defined by purpose, courage and value addition to governance.

He recalled Usman’s tenure at the Nigerian Ports Authority, noting that she introduced structure, clarity and reforms in one of the country’s most complex and strategic agencies, raising standards of leadership and accountability.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, acknowledged Usman’s support for youth-focused initiatives, while NEMA Director General, Zubaida Umar Abubakar, described her as a principled leader whose commitment to values has remained constant in both public and private life.

In his keynote address, former Bureau of Public Service Reforms Director General, Dr Joe Abah, said serving Nigeria at senior levels is a privilege that demands measurable impact on citizens’ lives. He noted that modern leaders must also learn to speak for their work amid misinformation and criticism.

In her remarks, Hadiza Bala Usman expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima and other mentors for their support, reaffirming her commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda and to continued service in pursuit of a better Nigeria.