Okechukwu commends Tinubu for retaining Shettima, calls for delegation of greater economic responsibilities
The former Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr Osita Okechukwu, has commended President Bola Tinubu for retaining His Excellency Kashim Shettima as Vice President for his second term in office.
Okechukwu, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), gave the commendation in a statement issued on Saturday in Enugu.
The statesman also advocated for the delegation of greater responsibilities to Shettima in overseeing the nation’s economic affairs.
Okechukwu said he was delighted that, after all the speculation, rigmarole and political maneuvering surrounding the issue, President Tinubu graciously retained Vice President Shettima.
He said, “May I commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for graciously retaining His Excellency Kashim Shettima as Vice President and humbly request that more powers be delegated to him to oversee economic affairs.
“I am making this humble appeal based on the fact that the economic reforms of President Tinubu have yielded significant gains at the macroeconomic stability level.
“However, hunger and poverty remain pressing challenges, which invariably require the urgent delegation of greater economic responsibilities to the Vice President, given his background in rural development and economic management.”
Okechukwu recalled that the International Monetary Fund (IMF), godfather of neoliberalism and leading advocate of neoliberal economic policies, noted in its 2026 Article IV Consultation on Nigeria that the country requires more inclusive growth.
The APC chieftain quoted IMF as saying “approximately 63 per cent of Nigerians now live below the national poverty line”.
He stressed that while the President’s economic reforms had improved key macroeconomic indicators, greater attention must be directed toward translating those gains into tangible improvements in the living standards of ordinary Nigerians.
“Shettima’s academic background in Agricultural Economics, experience in banking, and record in public service place him in a strong position to support efforts aimed at reducing poverty, promoting rural development, and ensuring that economic growth becomes more inclusive.”