Vice President Kashim Shettima has emphasised that Nigerian public servants must remain selfless, disciplined, and committed to excellence if they are to leave enduring legacies.
Speaking in Abuja at a colloquium marking the 50th birthday of Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU), Shettima said lasting impact in public service is sustained through daily discipline, consistency in effort, and strength of character.
“If we are to raise more generations of Nigerians who will be ready to lead with purpose, deliver with excellence, and serve with courage, we must remember this truth: intention without the willingness to pay the price of service remains wishful thinking,” Shettima said.
CELEBRATING HADIZA BALA USMAN
Shettima described Bala Usman as a mirror for ambitious young women, noting that her public service legacy was not built on spectacle or applause but on quiet decisions, full responsibility, and institution-building.
“Usman earned her influence through a rare blend of grace and grit, clarity guided by courage, and a deliberate commitment to excellence that has helped shape Nigeria’s national direction,” Shettima added.
He highlighted her rise as a role model for young women, proving that ambition is achievable through hard work and conviction, noting her early entry into critical policy spaces and consistent performance.
“May your example continue to guide those who still believe that service, when done well, can ennoble a nation,” he said.
SGF AND OTHER DIGNITARIES PAY TRIBUTE
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, described Bala Usman’s career as a shining example of discipline, dedication, and purpose, urging her to continue advancing President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He praised her intellectual rigour, strategic foresight, and commitment to translating policy into measurable outcomes, noting her role in strengthening governance delivery, enhancing inter-ministerial coordination, and reinforcing accountability.
“As Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination and Head of the CRDCU, you have continued to distinguish yourself through uncommon passion and purposeful leadership,” Akume said.
Also, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, noted Bala Usman’s reforms at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), highlighting her clarity in governance priorities and structural reforms.
Youth Development Minister Ayodele Olawande and NEMA DG Zubaida Umar Abubakar also lauded her contributions to youth-focused initiatives and her decades-long commitment to principled service.
CELEBRANT RESPONDS
Bala Usman expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, and other dignitaries, reflecting on her work in election planning since 2015 and her tenure at the NPA. She reaffirmed her commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda and the continued advancement of national development.
Other notable attendees included:
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Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information
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Abubakar Kyrie, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security
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Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, Minister of State for Education
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Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, Minister of State, FCT
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Former Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi
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Senator Adams Oshiomhole
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Shehu Dikko, Director-General of the National Sports Commission and the spouse of Bala Usman
