These past years have been filled with lessons, and one of the most enduring truths I have learned from my boss, Vice President Kashim Shettima, is the science of staying in your lane. It is a discipline that requires patience. And because he reminds you of it often, always in his subtle but emphatic way, it becomes second nature, a tapping sound in your subconscious.
Many aides, myself included, fondly recall his memorable counsel: “We must learn to manage our poverty with dignity.” It is his gentle way of cautioning anyone tempted to wander beyond the bounds of their assignment. Yet, this guidance resonates deeply because he embodies it himself. He is a master of order, a respecter of hierarchy, and a steady hand in taming distractions.
What he gives, beyond leadership, is the art of salesmanship. In a place where power is perception, he never fails to showcase his aides, a team of extraordinarily brilliant and accomplished minds, presenting their expertise to the audiences that require it. This has made all the difference, a priceless boost for careers that will flourish even beyond public service. For this, Your Excellency, we remain grateful.
Happy birthday to the man of many dimensions—the politician, the savant, the bookworm, the orator, the living encyclopaedia, the caretaker, the mentor, the strategist, the guardian of traditions, the optimist, the realist, the storyteller, the patriot, the bridge-builder, the visionary, the disciplinarian, and above all, the servant-leader. May this new year bring you tranquillity, sound health, and the clarity of thought to keep making a difference.
