Vice President Kashim Shettima has publicly defended former Nigerian leader Olusegun Obasanjo’s legacy, cautioning a master of ceremonies who introduced Obasanjo simply as a “former president.”

 

In a video aired on SYMFONI TV, Shettima described the phrasing as a “gratuitous insult,” insisting that Obasanjo’s influence and stature extend far beyond a basic political title.

 

Speaking at a public event, the Vice President stressed that Obasanjo remains one of Africa’s most revered statesmen whose impact on Nigeria and the continent cannot be minimized.

 

“To describe him as former president is a gratuitous insult,” Shettima said, urging the MC and attendees to show greater respect when addressing the elder statesman.

 

He praised Obasanjo’s leadership qualities, calling him a unifying national figure whose decades of service continue to shape Nigeria’s political and social development. Shettima noted that Nigeria must learn to honour its great leaders while they are still alive, adding that Obasanjo’s contributions to national growth remain exceptional and unmatched.

 

The Vice President’s remarks have stirred conversations about how Nigeria acknowledges its past leaders and the level of respect accorded to those who have significantly shaped the nation’s history.