"Leadership Is Not Meant for Nice Men" – Vice President Shettima Says Nice Men Should Sell Chocolates and Ice Cream
Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that effective leadership requires bold, decisive action rather than a desire to please everyone, stressing that "leadership is not meant for nice men" and that leaders must be willing to make difficult decisions for the greater good .
"Leadership Is Not Meant for Nice Men" – Vice President Shettima Says Nice Men Should Sell Chocolates and Ice Cream
Vice President Kashim Shettima has sparked fresh debate after declaring that leadership is not for those seeking to be liked, but for those willing to make tough decisions.
Speaking on Wednesday while delivering the keynote address at the Niger Delta Agricultural Development and Investment Summit in Abuja, Shettima said leaders must prioritise national development over popularity. "Leadership means walking the talk. Leadership is about taking tough decisions. And leadership is not meant for nice men. Nice men should be selling chocolates, ice cream," he said.
The Vice President also praised the leadership style of Rwandan President Paul Kagame while cautioning against comparing Nigeria with smaller African nations without considering the country's massive population.
He noted that 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 Shomolu 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.
Highlighting efforts to attract investment into the agricultural sector, Shettima commended Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno for his swift response to a proposed $500 million investment in oil palm production by a Malaysian company.
He disclosed that representatives of the company met with him alongside their Nigerian partners to discuss plans to invest in the sector. "I called the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno. First dial, he picked the phone. He said, 'Give them, let them come and start work at once.' This is leadership. Leadership means walking the talk," he said
The Vice President also urged Nigerians to embrace agriculture as a key driver of economic growth, employment and national development. He noted that the sector had historically created opportunities for millions of Nigerians and remains crucial to the country's development.
"We began as an agrarian economy and the foundation of this nation was laid upon it. Our agricultural heritage has provided hope to the hopeless and jobs for a mass of humanity," he added.
Source: TrendyBeatz
