Vice president Kashim Shettima, has appealed to leaders in the northwestern part of Nigeria to come together and support the current administration’s initiatives to address a series of challenges facing the nation.

The Vice President made the call today when he paid a Sallah homage to the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammad Saád Abubakar II, in his palace, according to a press statement by Olusola Abiola, Director Information, Office of the Vice President.

According to Shettima, “President Tinubu is aware of the challenges facing our people – the insecurity that has pervaded the northwest region and he is taking far reaching measures to address the situation.

“I urge our political leaders to unite in order to confront the common challenges of insecurity, poverty and underdevelopment in the region.”

While expressing President Tinubu’s felicitation, the Vice President emphasized the value of peace and unity, stating that “there can never be peace without development, and development without peace.”

He noted that, while acknowledging the traditional institution’s significance, the Tinubu administration remains dedicated to providing it with the essential support to contribute to the nation’s prosperity.

While responding, the Sultan of Sokoto, appreciated the VP for the Sallah homage and prayed to God to grant him wisdom and strength to carry out duties assigned to him as the nation’s number two citizen.

He commended the Federal Government for the bold steps taken so far to address challenges confronting the nation, noting that “it is better to take certain decisions now, no matter the hardship, emphasising that the gains of the future is more important.”

The religious leader pledged the support of the Sultanate for the Federal Government’s policies and programmes, assuring that “we support you 100% all of the time and we give you our word on this. We will do whatever it takes to maintain peace and stability in our country Nigeria.”

Speaking earlier at a brief reception for the VP at the Government House, Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto expressed gratitude for the visit, describing the gesture by the Vice President as a show of “deep love for Sokoto State and its people”.

He described Vice President Shettima as a man of patience, tolerance and courage, assuring him of the State’s support for the success of the Tinubu administration.

Other dignitaries at the Sallah homage were, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State; Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Idris Gobir; the Senator representing Sokoto North Senatorial District, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko; the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia; the APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Sen. Abubakar Kyari and Speaker of Sokoto State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon.Tukur Bodinga among others.