Vice-President Kashim Shettima says when one walks into a Nigerian in London, it’s easy to trace where he or she comes from because they walk with “cocky arrogance”.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47, 2025, held at the the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Plateau State, Shettima said Nigerians exude confidence wherever they find themselves.

He said this administration will not allow Nigeria to fail, no matter what, because if Nigeria fails, the black race has failed and it will affect the world over.

“Let us believe in this country; this country has to work. This is the greatest black nation on Earth. If Nigeria fails the black race has failed and we cannot afford to fail because it is a hope of the black race.”

“The hope of the black man rests with Nigeria, because Nigeria is economically enterprising, geographically mobile and economically proficient.

“What binds us together supersedes what divides us. For instance, if you see a Nigerian on the streets of London you don’t need a soothsayer to tell you this is a Nigerian, because we walk with cocky arrogance.

“We don’t give way to a white man when we meet along the street… When I embarrassed myself at the NBA forum, I went and bought some good suits, but at international events, I come out in my native wear(babanriga).

“So, it is in the best interest of the black race and the best interest of the world for Nigeria to work,” he said.

In his remarks, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, said the security conditions in the state has improved compared with last year, pointed out however that significant challenges remain.

“By the grace of God, the security situation on the Plateau today is not yet Uhuru, but it is better than where we were last year. We continue to face challenges, but together, I am sure we have sufficient will to surmount them,” he said.

He credited President Bola Tinubu, the military and other security agencies for what he described as their doggedness and sustained support to the state, adding that recent security assessments and policy submissions by the institute had been useful to the government. (Weekend Trust)

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