MacArthur Foundation Director Shettima’s virtues celebrated by AFF
By Abimbola Mohammed
In one of the impact series organized by Akin Fadeyi Foundation (AFF) in honor of Dr. Kole Shettima, Director MacArthur Foundation, leading voices in the Nigerian civil society, drawn from various fields, including media, academia and non-governmental organizations, have described him as one of the stakeholders who strive for a better society.
Speakers at the just concluded series include feminist activist and policy advocate, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, media entrepreneur, Simon Kolawole, TV host, Kadaria Ahmed and about 15 others. They reeled out beautiful tributes and listed various ways through which Dr. Shettima has used MacArthur Foundation to impact individuals and NGOs in Nigeria, while promoting transparency and credibility in governance.
According to the AFF and organisers of the event, ‘the Impact Series with Kole Shettima’ was put together not only to celebrate the anti-corruption investor but to create a forum for members of the civil society to engage, evaluate and give advice where necessary on good governance and fight against corruption. Fadeyi described Dr. Shettima as one change agent who lives and wakes with a thought on how to better Nigeria.
Erelu Fayemi, who described Shettima as a brother and friend who has done a lot to lift Nigeria and make leaders accountable, commended AFF for organising the impact series in his honour while still alive and charged all the guests on the platform to begin thinking of how best to celebrate their loved ones and leaders in life.
“Today is special for me because we all gather on this platform to speak about one man who has done a lot to change our country’s narrative. Dr. Shettima is one man who has created a way to make Nigerian leaders accountable despite the challenges associated with such endeavour. Shettima has made it possible for us to look power in the face and ask questions where necessary. To me, he is a real hero and we must all begin to learn one or two things from him to further impact our various societies,” Erelu Fayemi said.
Media Entrepreneur and Publisher of The Cable Online, Simon Kolawole, while commending Dr. Shettima’s contribution to the advancement of press freedom and media development, made a quick reference to his various leadership qualities which all leaders who wish to succeed must imbibe.
Kolawole said, “Beyond Dr. Shettima’s contribution to societal growth, especially his commitment to training journalists in the area of investigative reporting and provision of equipment and tools for the media, one more thing I have found very exciting about Dr. Shettima is his simplicity. He has a listening ear and operates an open door policy – no fence around him and he picks calls and replies messages promptly. These are attributes I think all leaders who want to govern well and succeed should emulate.”
A Priest, who also doubles as the Executive Director of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, Rev. Fr. George Ehusani, while commending Dr. Shettima for his contribution to humanity, said he was personally impressed about his accessibility. According to the priest, he had only read or heard of his name prior to when he (Shettima) called and suggested an area of collaboration. That singular call, the Reverend noted, has created a lot of opportunity for his foundation and helped it in the area of behavioural engagement and direct mentorship.
Publisher of Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi, in his contribution traced what Shettima is currently doing to the route he had created for himself way back in his undergraduate days.
“As an undergraduate, Kole was committed to the betterment of Nigeria. Kole is thoughtful, culture blind and he is humility personified despite the power and influence he wields. I must also add that Kole Shettima is one of the few people we should appreciate for the growth and development of investigative journalism, and media in general in this modern age,” he said.
A Professor from Bayero University, Kano, Radda Sadi Isah disclosed to participants on the platform that Dr. Shettima is one man whose contribution to Bayero University is difficult to forget. He also commended him for all his intervention initiatives which helped his organisation to monitor government activities and control corruption during the Buhari administration.
“It will be difficult, if not impossible to talk about progressive activism in Nigeria without talking about Kunle Shettima. He is one person who is doing a lot without attracting unnecessary publicilty. His concern every day is hinged on what can be done to make Nigeria great,” Isah added.
Reacting to the torrent of tributes in his honour, Dr. Shettima admitted that what Akin Fadeyi Foundation did was nothing but “a bloodless coup”. He commended the organisers and appreciated all for their generous “humbling contributions”.
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