On Thursday, the 10th of July 2025, His Excellency the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima GCON, was Special Guest of Honour at the public presentation of a book by former Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke SAN titled “OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3Billion Nigeria Oil Block”. He made a speech as expected, to herald the advent of the book into the literary world.

In his speech, His Excellency the Vice President, recollected his own personal voyage during his own trying times as the Governor of Borno State in the midst of the insurgency, and appreciated the opinions of two Senior Advocates of Nigeria who were members of the Federal Executive Council at the time, which were rooted on available facts. It is an established fact that in law, the opinions of different lawyers and Judges may not necessarily be the same even on issues with the same ingredients. Therefore, Mr. Tanimu Turaki SAN and Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke SAN merely expressed their views based on those facts at that time in those circumstances. Our present advisers also have their own views on Rivers State as dictated by our own circumstances. Vice President Kashim Shettima also merely expressed what happened to him and his State that endeared Mohammad Bello Adoke to his heart. I believe any good person in his shoe would have done the same. It is a personal recollection with nostalgia and has nothing to do with the permutations being blown out of proportion in the social media. For the avoidance of doubt, the Presidency is only one and the Vice President and all aides of the President support the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed forces, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to succeed in all assignments and decisions of his administration. It is a collective responsibility and everyone working under the President is part of those decisions.

We noticed that the opposition is excited shouting on the rooftop for a non-existent rift in the Presidency even to the extent of issuing a press release. It is a clear exhibition of the level of joblessness and creativity among them and this is unfortunate. However, we are pleased to announce that their expectations and hopes have fallen short and they should be thoroughly disappointed and ashamed that there is no rift or rancour whatsoever in the Presidency. So pathetic for them.

Again, those unpatriotic elements should be ashamed of their heinous habits of celebrating any negative development our nation. It is sad and embarrassing that some of them are currently celebrating the US visa restriction placed on Nigerians, forgetting that it is reciprocal. True patriots stay back to build their nation. That is what most of us are doing.

We must bear in mind that Nigeria is a nation populated by young, intelligent, hardworking and creative people. Let's collectively redirect our energies and creativities towards positivity. With the right policies already in place, the Federal Government is doing its optimal best to revamp our economy and return our country to growth and prosperity. The sacrifices made in the last two years have already started yielding positive results with our current economic growth at 3.6% p.a. according to the World Bank and projected to reach up to 4% p.a. in 2026. Current external reserves stand at $38.93b USD, projected to grow even further, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria. These are not little achievements by any standards. It is clear evidence that we are on the right trajectory.

Going forward, it is evident that Nigerians will experience further ease of life each day with food prices on the downward trend. As the security situation improves, so also will be food production. This year's rains are so far satisfactory and farmers are expected to do well. Federal and most State Governments have provided enough fertilizer and pest control chemicals to facilitate bumper harvests. For those of us in white collar jobs, let's develop a culture of agriculture again even if on a part-time basis. It is a wonderful and dignifying pastime.

Finally, as we approach the election in 2027, our preoccupation should not be criticizing the government at every opportunity. Instead, we should continue to focus on providing solutions to the coterie of inherited problems in innovative ways. This is what the federal government of Nigeria is deeply focused on. Let's be patient and support the noble efforts of the Government and achieve success for our dear nation. Peace and Stability begets prosperity. That’s the secret of China.

• Barrister Bashir Maidugu wrote from Abuja and can be reached through _bashirmaidugu@gmail.com