In a revelation that echoes through the corridors of governance, the Federal Government has unveiled the existence of 32 clandestine pathways utilized for the illicit transport of food commodities out of Nigeria. Vice President Kashim Shettima unveiled this disclosure during a symposium on Public Wealth Management convened in Abuja, the esteemed heart of the nation.
In a thought-provoking discourse, Vice President Shettima illuminated a recent interdiction operation where 45 convoys laden with maize were apprehended while en route to neighboring territories. He underscored the pivotal nature of such interventions in thwarting unlawful endeavors.
Moreover, he accentuated the reverberations of these interdictions on the marketplace, citing a notable plummet in the price of maize by N10,000 immediately post-interception, thereby vividly portraying the palpable ramifications of smuggling on local food valuations.
Vice President Shettima underscored the imperative of unity and concerted endeavors in confronting the myriad challenges besieging the nation. He implored citizens to prioritize the national well-being over partisan inclinations, underscoring the primacy of governance vis-à-vis politics.
Expressing disquiet over insidious attempts to destabilize the nation, he flagged the deployment of divisive stratagems by certain quarters and the advocacy for violent methodologies to further their agendas.
Shettima reiterated Nigeria’s indomitable spirit in adversity, affirming the nation’s resilience in surmounting the obstacles erected by internal dissension and external machinations aimed at fomenting discord.
He decried endeavors to foment anarchy and unrest, particularly by elements agitating for ascendancy through anti-democratic channels. Shettima rallied for a collective endeavor to uphold the sanctity of the legal framework and fortify Nigeria’s unity and stability.
Concluding his address, Vice President Shettima implored all stakeholders to accord primacy to national imperatives and strive towards forging a more robust, prosperous Nigeria, emancipated from the scourge of smuggling and political tumult. He stressed the imperative of solidarity and collaborative action in addressing the nation’s exigencies and charting a path towards sustainable advancement.
