Vice-President Kashim Shettima has implored Nigerians to uphold truth and integrity in the face of misinformation and falsehood that threaten the fabric of society.
Shettima made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the presentation of a book titled “Beating All Odds: Diaries and Essays on How Bola Tinubu Became President”.
Sharpedgenews reports that the book is written by a veteran journalist and literary artist, Sam Omatseye.
According to Shettima, Nigerians need more men (and women) of courage.
“I hope that this marks the beginning of our commitment to truth, our dedication to integrity and our resolve to push for a nation that comes together to choose the truth over a lie.”
Shedding light on the challenges faced in the lead-up to the 2023 presidential elections, Shettima extolled Omatseye’s literary prowess and unwavering commitment to truth.
Reflecting on the significance of Omatseye’s work, he noted the significant role played by individuals who possess the power to articulate profound narratives.
“Whoever possesses the power to craft words into memorable sentences is an army of one, especially when they see the world through three dimensions.
“Mr Sam Omatseye stands as a courageous sentinel for our history.
“He transcends the omissions of those who shy away from truth in the most uncomfortable places and in the scariest of circumstances.
“Omatseye is both a hero of the people and an intellectual I am excited to celebrate today.”
Shettima also highlighted the critical role of authentic journalism in safeguarding democracy.
“The build-up to the last presidential elections in Nigeria revealed a peculiar type of writers and bloggers.
“These authors, devoted to political fantasy, have dedicated their lives to crafting false narratives and outright fabrications to sow chaos.
“Mr Omatseye didn’t only set out to share his personal diaries as a well-read political historian, he has given the world a three-dimensional view.
“Successfully, the author underlined both the delicate and the concrete turns of events that led to this electoral outcome.”
On the central character of the book on President Tinubu, Shettima noted that even those trying to dent the image of his boss “know full well that the President is a political phenomenon”.
“Our recourse to facts in this climate of propaganda and lies will disinfect the minds of the impressionable and this book does justice to the subject of President Tinubu’s ascent up the ladder of glories as the recipient of the nation’s highest honour to the office of the President.
“I believe this book is an interaction with time, a record of the science and miracle of our journey to this height.
“His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, is a political phenomenon; even those who attempted to undermine him live to confess to this fact.
“The President’s years of building people and relationships played out during the elections and this book provides sufficient material for curious minds,” Shettima said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion and former Gov. Segun Osoba of Ogun State, commended the effort of the author of the book.
Osoba described Omatsaye as a versatile writer whose mastery of words is captured in his portrayal of events during the electioneering period.
According to him, the book chronicles the interventions of Omatseye in the 2023 presidential elections and an important process in the life of the country.
He also thanked the author for his belief in President Tinubu’s commitment to the Nigerian project.
Osoba gave assurance that the administration would take courageous decisions to address current challenges in the polity.
For his part, the author described the book as his own attempt to put in context all that transpired during the 2023 electioneering period.
Omatseye also said that the book was his modest contribution to the advancement of democracy in the country.
Mr Louis Odion, the book reviewer, described it as a meticulous chronicle of the most divisive presidential election in the history of Nigeria and a vindication of the President as well as a razor-sharp snapshot of Nigeria at a critical moment.