Abuja: Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on public officers to embrace the practice of documenting their professional experiences to aid the younger generation in preparing for future responsibilities. Shettima emphasized this point during the inauguration of a biography about former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Usman Baba, held in Abuja on Saturday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Vice President, who was represented by the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Abubakar Kyari, highlighted the detrimental impact of failing to leave a documented legacy. He stated that the absence of such records has been a disservice to successive generations, forcing them to navigate unfamiliar paths without guidance. Shettima expressed that the lack of mentorship has cost the nation dearly and stressed the importance of preparing the younger generation for upcoming challenges.
Shettima further explained that documenting experiences is crucial for providing guidance to future leaders. He noted that leadership examples should be created, shared, and used as teaching tools, rather than being inherited. He asserted that public servants are accountable to the people and should provide an honest account of their tenure as part of their responsibility.
Highlighting the consequences of silence from leaders, Shettima remarked that withholding experiences leads to historical distortion, whereas sharing them enriches posterity. He emphasized that public service should be transparent, and experiences should not be kept secret.
In his remarks, Mr. Usman Baba shared that his motivation for documenting his life as a public officer stemmed from the desire to inspire others to pursue their destinies.