Shettima Marks Eid-El-Fitr at Home in Maiduguri
Shettima didn’t just pass through Maiduguri this Eid-El-Fitr—he intentionally chose to celebrate in his roots, alongside family, friends, and community elders. This year, while the president marked the end of Ramadan in Abuja, Nigeria’s Vice President took a different route and boarded a flight north, touching down in Borno’s bustling capital just as the festivities kicked off.
His arrival was anything but low-key. Welcoming crowds lined the streets, eager to greet their hometown statesman. The city wore a festive look, with prayers echoing from mosques and local markets packed with families preparing traditional holiday meals. For Shettima, the trip was both personal and political—a chance to reconnect with his beginnings while engaging directly with the people he’s served both as former governor and now as vice president.
Luncheon with Elders: A Call for Unity
During his stay, Shettima hosted a luncheon that brought together Maiduguri’s most respected elders and his former schoolmates—a gathering rich in nostalgia and influence. It wasn’t all celebration and shared memories; the Vice President took the opportunity to strike a serious note. In a brief but pointed speech, he made unity the centerpiece.
He told the room, "We should all perfect, maintain, and build on the sense of unity that exists among us for our collective gain and progress as a gift for one another." His words landed with weight, especially among the diverse gathering that included Muslims, Christians, local business figures, and retired civil servants. Shettima’s message was simple: differences shouldn’t divide. With Nigeria still facing deep ethnic and religious divisions, his push for unity wasn’t just a holiday sentiment—it was a reminder of what needs fixing at the national level.
The luncheon itself became a symbolic gesture. Old classmates who once shared school lunches now found themselves discussing the challenges facing their communities over plates of local delicacies. Elders reminisced about times when Maiduguri was peaceful and thriving, and conversations kept circling back to how unity and peaceful coexistence are now more important than ever.
This emphasis on harmonious relationships didn’t just stay in the walls of the luncheon hall. Word spread quickly through Maiduguri’s neighborhoods. For many residents, having the Vice President back home, eating local dishes and listening first-hand to their stories, felt like more than just tradition. It was a signal that unity isn’t just a slogan spoken in the capital—it’s something that starts on familiar ground, among people who know each other’s struggles and hopes.
If Shettima’s Eid message gets picked up beyond Borno’s borders, it might spark similar conversations nationwide about bridging divides and building on what connects Nigerians. For now, after a whirlwind holiday, Shettima is back in Abuja, but his call for togetherness is still echoing through his hometown—and maybe a bit beyond.
Chris Snyder
May 1, 2025 AT 18:31Seeing Shettima celebrate Eid in his hometown really shows how important staying connected to your roots can be :) It’s a reminder that leaders who spend time with everyday folks can build trust that’s hard to fake. The vibe in Maiduguri sounded genuine, and the crowds weren’t just there for a photo op. When a VP takes the time to listen to elders, it can open doors for real dialogue. Unity messages feel more authentic when they come from someone who grew up in the same streets you walk. It’s a subtle reminder that national unity starts at the community level. I think this could spark more grassroots initiatives across the country 😁
Hugh Fitzpatrick
May 5, 2025 AT 05:51Oh wow, a VP eating biryani with his old schoolmates is really the secret sauce to solving Nigeria’s biggest problems, isn’t it? Sure, a one‑day luncheon can’t fix decades of tension, but hey, at least the Instagram post looked nice. I guess the real work starts after the plates are cleared. Let’s hope the unity talk isn’t just a holiday slogan.
george hernandez
May 8, 2025 AT 17:11Shettima’s return to Maiduguri for Eid feels like a homecoming that resonates beyond politics The city’s streets buzzed with a mixture of celebration and solemnity The elders gathered, their faces etched with histories of both conflict and peace The luncheon brought together a tapestry of voices, each carrying a piece of the nation’s story The vice president’s speech, though brief, stitched a thread of unity through that tapestry He spoke about collective gain, a phrase that echoes in every corner of Nigeria The crowd listened, some nodding, some thinking, some recalling their own memories of unity The dialogue that followed was not just about politics but about shared humanity The elders recalled days when the market was a place of laughter not fear The younger attendees shared hopes for a future where sectarian lines blur The conversation spiraled into ideas about education, infrastructure, and reconciliation The atmosphere was charged with possibility, as if the walls themselves breathed optimism The story of this luncheon will travel beyond Borno, planting seeds in distant towns The idea that unity can bloom in a simple gathering is powerful The vice president’s presence turned a holiday meal into a platform for change The memory of that day will linger, reminding everyone that togetherness starts in small circles The hope is that this moment becomes a catalyst for broader national dialogue
bob wang
May 12, 2025 AT 04:31Indeed, the gathering in Maiduguri presented an exemplary illustration of communal solidarity, - a scenario wherein the Vice President, by engaging directly with local dignitaries, demonstrated a commendable commitment, - to fostering an inclusive dialogue that transcends superficial political posturing. ; The event, replete with traditional cuisine and heartfelt discourse, serves as a microcosm of the broader aspirations held by many Nigerians; ; By emphasizing unity in such a setting, the leadership not only reinforces a narrative of cohesion, - but also subtly encourages grassroots participation in the nation’s ongoing reconciliation efforts 😃.
Seyi Aina
May 15, 2025 AT 15:51Man, this feels like another photo‑op tour; the real issues in Borno aren’t going to be solved by a fancy lunch.
Alyson Gray
May 19, 2025 AT 03:11yeah but u kno i wuz there as a kid an i rmembr tht place is sooo dear to my heart, u cant just dump a speech n expect nothin happen, its trughtful but u need act too omg its like we all watch these vids and think it’s all rainbows when out there the real struggels are still there i cant even
Shaun Collins
May 22, 2025 AT 14:31Looks like empty talk.
Chris Ward
May 26, 2025 AT 01:51well maybe but duno if it do anything altho it coud be nice 2 see smth differnt
Heather Stoelting
May 29, 2025 AT 13:11Let’s keep this momentum going! Every small step toward togetherness counts – stay motivated and keep pushing for positive change.
Travis Cossairt
June 2, 2025 AT 00:31yeah good vibe but hope it translates into real plans.
Amanda Friar
June 5, 2025 AT 11:51So, did the VP also bring a magic wand to fix the divide, or just extra samosas? 😏
Sivaprasad Rajana
June 8, 2025 AT 23:11Talk of unity is simple, but acting on it needs patience and shared effort.
Andrew Wilchak
June 12, 2025 AT 10:31Yo, the VP just dropped in for a holiday vibe, but it’s cool to see some real talk happening here.
Roland Baber
June 15, 2025 AT 21:51Indeed, moments like these can serve as catalysts, prompting deeper reflection on how collective identity can be nurtured across diverse communities.
Phil Wilson
June 19, 2025 AT 09:11Strategic engagement at the local tier can incrementally bolster social cohesion metrics, provided stakeholders maintain constructive discourse without overextending rhetoric.