Vice President Kashim Shettima has been conferred with a significant chieftaincy title, “Aka Ekpuchi Ọnwa,” by a revered traditional ruler in Ebonyi State. The honour was bestowed upon him during his visit to Abakaliki on Monday, where he attended an All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally.
The title, which translates to “A Hand Cannot Cover the Moon,” was presented to the Vice President by Eze Fidelis Nwonumara, the Eze Nnodo II of Amagu Autonomous Community in Abakaliki and Chairman of the Izzi/Nnodo Traditional Rulers Council. The conferment underscores the cultural recognition extended to the nation’s number two citizen.
The development was officially announced in a statement released by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President. Shettima’s visit to Ebonyi saw him received by Governor Francis Nwifuru, alongside other government officials, APC leaders, and party stakeholders at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium rally.
Speaking after receiving the prestigious title, Vice President Shettima articulated the profound significance of the honour, describing it as a powerful reflection of the enduring bond among Nigerians, irrespective of their regional origins. He emphasized the historical precedent of unity in Nigeria.
“I have travelled from the far North-East to the South-East, yet I stand here among brothers and sisters. Our ancestors understood that friendship could cross rivers, mountains and kingdoms,” the Vice President stated. He further added that ancestral wisdom taught that “a stranger who is received with love soon becomes a member of the household.”
Concluding his remarks, Shettima passionately declared, “This is the Nigeria we must preserve,” highlighting his commitment to national cohesion and mutual respect across the diverse ethnic landscapes of the country.
Watch the below..