VP Shettima: When the bridge-builder showed up for persona non grata, By Zainab Suleiman Okino

Something quite remarkable and sublime, yet a powerful testament, capable of setting the tone for a discourse on national cohesion happened recently at a rather innocuous book launch of a professional colleague. The book also has an unusual title, Personal Non Grata, a personal account of the author, Ismaila Omipidan’s life and experiences from relative obscurity to limelight.

The title of the book is as intriguing as the audience. The event’s significance lay not just in its content but in its audience – a diverse assembly of Nigerians that resembled a national unity summit. The gathering brought together individuals from various political affiliations, religious beliefs, and ethnic backgrounds, all united in support of the author. Leading this convergence of diversity was Vice President Kashim Shettima, whose presence highlighted his brotherly connection to the author and his own cosmopolitan nature. This appearance preceded Shettima’s impressive showing at…