A time-tested saying goes that behind every successful man there’s a woman. But I prefer to say beside any successful man is a virtuous woman. The foregoing succinctly caputures the character, charisma and candour of the Nigerian second lady and wife of Vice President Kashim Shettima, Nana Shettima.
When a person is described as having virtue, it is seen as a quality that sets one apart from everyone else in character, strength and morality. She’s an excellent description of what the Holy Bible describes in Proverbs 31vs10: “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.” Similarly, An-Nisa 4:34, 34th verse in the fourth chapter of the Holy Quran says, “So virtuous women are those who are obedient, and guard the secrets of their husbands with Allah’s protection.”
Nana Shettima is not new in the power arena having served as the First Lady of Borno State. I dare to say that Nana is an ordinary second lady, as she’s a woman of many faces. The icing on the cake for her in the current status is that she has the first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to collaborate with. Where two of these calibre of women meets, good things will certainly happen.
Like Oluremi, she played significant role in the Renewed Hope Campaign. She has played active part in her husband’s political career. Getting people to key into her husband’s vision is like a walk in the park for Nana because she has earned huge reservoir of goodwill from her humanitarian services which, in in turn, impact on the political fortune of her husband.
Now that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima have struck good working relationship and the second lady and first lady are also playing a supportive role, there’s no stopping the fulfilment of Renewed Hope Agenda. In the political history of Nigeria, this is the first time the first and second ladies work together seamlessly.
Aside her hectic humanitarian work and businesses, the second lady is a virtuous mother, given the character of her children. In addition to her humanitarian work, Nana Shettima is also a successful businesswoman. She is the owner of several businesses in Nigeria, including a fashion boutique and a Real Estate company. She is a savvy businesswoman who has built a successful empire from the ground up.
A woman with a modest lifestyle, devote Muslim and mother, Nana Shettima is a role model for women in Nigeria, and her work is making a positive difference in the lives of many people.
She has provided food, shelter, education, and healthcare to orphans, widows, and the bereaved. She has also been a vocal advocate for the rights of women and children. Nana’s role model status is also inspiring more women to become involved in business and politics. She is showing women that it is possible to have a successful career and a family at the same time. She has said that she plans to continue her work as a humanitarian and philanthropist.
Nana Shettima has also been a vocal advocate for the rights of women and children. In 2018, she set up the Model Orphanage Integrated School in Maiduguri to cater for orphans, widows, and the bereaved in Borno State. The school provides free education and vocational training to its students.
Her life is about helping the poor and vulnerable, especially orphans, widows and the bereaved. Through her SWOT Foundation and Model Orphanage Integrated School, Maiduguri, she provided food, shelter, education and healthcare to thousands of people in Borno State and Nigeria at large.
The active supportive role of the Nigerian second lady is indispensable to the success of the Renewed Hope Government. Armed with a bumper resume, without an iota of a doubt, Nana is one of the stabilising factor for Tinubu’s government. I say this because Her courage under fire and ability to keep her cool irrespective of storms is a sign of her strength, resilience and leadership.
She is a woman who is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in, even when it is difficult. She is also a woman who is able to stay calm and collected in the midst of adversity.
The Nigerian second lady, Nana, needs no introduction as she’s like a golden fish. But permit me to mention that she was born in Kano State in 1975 to a Kanuri family. She studied English Language and Literature at the University of Maiduguri where she met her husband, Kashim Shettima. They got married in 1998 and have three children.
She is ready to reenact the feats she achieved as Borno first lady. For the benefit of those who may not know, she used her platform as first lady of Borno from 2011-2019 to raise awareness of important issues such as women empowerment, child education and healthcare. She has provided her husband with valuable advice and support on a range of issues.
As I conclude, let me attempt to describe what has been referred to as a virtuous who woman cares for her family. She is a hard worker. While she toils faithfully in meeting the needs of her own family, she also doesn’t forget to help the other needy people God brings across her path. A virtuous woman also takes the time to look after her own health and be a good steward of her body. Needless to add that a virtuous woman is humble and a valuable asset.
My prayer for the first and second ladies is that Almighty GOD should give them the strength and guidance to move round the country to perfect the Renewed Hope Agenda by providing political and social roadmaps for women professionals and technocrats, including business professionals and all women of our great country. As time progresses in the administration, their advice will become more important in pinpointing ways to support the fight against corruption and building a transparent society that is free of graft and injustice to the less privileged and vulnerable Nigerians.
On our part, I urged Nigerians to support the second and first ladies as they support their husbands, President Tinubu and VP Shettima. to deliver on the Renewed Hope mandate.
– Ibrahim is director, Communications and Strategic Planning, of the Presidential Support Committee (PSC).
