Shettima To Jim Ovia At 75: Your Greatest Wealth Is The Institutions, Lives You Built

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has congratulated Dr. Jim Ovia on his 75th birthday, highlighting his significant contributions to modern Nigerian enterprise. Shettima praised Ovia for building institutions and opportunities, rather than just amassing wealth. He noted that at 75, Ovia has reached a stage where his success is measured by the lasting value he has provided to others.

The vice-president emphasized that while businesses and financial assets can be quantified, the impact of instilling confidence in young entrepreneurs, funding education, and creating enduring institutions cannot be easily measured. Shettima praised Ovia's foresight in recognizing the potential of Nigerian talent, technology, and possibilities when he founded Zenith Bank.

He acknowledged that Ovia's vision extended beyond banking into education and philanthropy, through scholarships, investments, and the institutions he has established. The celebrant's enduring nature, characterized by warmth, discipline, and a commitment to others' progress, was particularly admired. Shettima shared that his personal relationship with Ovia has allowed him to appreciate the man behind the public persona.

He reflected on the question each person ultimately faces: after achieving much, how are they better because of their existence? For Shettima, Ovia's legacy is evident in the countless lives, careers, and institutions he has enriched throughout his 75 years. The vice-president extended his wishes for Ovia's continued health, wisdom, and fulfillment, expressing the hope that his future years bring contentment from seeing the seeds he has sown continue to bear fruit.