Late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Premier of Northern Nigeria
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called o northern leaders and citizens to emulate the virtues of the former Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello popularly known as the Sardauna of Sokoto.
President Tinubu, who was represented by VP Kashim Shettima, made the call on Wednesday during the Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna of Sokoto Foundation Lecture in Abuja.
He also commended the organizers for for organising the event with the motto of the defunct northern regional government, which conveyed the image of a region where work and godliness serve as guiding principles for nation-building.
Tinubu noted that most of the institutions built by Sardauna provided a solid foundation for the early cohesion and development of the north, and the rise of a sound infrastructure, economic base, vibrant public service and industrial backbone.
The president also stressed that the present crop of northern leaders have a duty to bring back the core values of the North as an integral part of modern Nigeria.
On his part, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, urged the federal government and northern states to adopt policies that would promote the development, peace and prosperity of the region.
Governor Zulum also admonished the government to create platforms for skills acquisition and employment generation amongst youths in the region.
The governor made the statement at the stakeholders roundtable on Northern Nigerian Youth Development organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation held at the NAF Conference Center, Abuja on 19-20 November 2024.
Zulum also called on the federal government to adopt policies that will restore the dignity, development and prosperity of the Northern region.
He further advised the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and National Assembly to review the Tax Reform Bill with a view to repealing clauses which may cause hardship to the people of country.
Zulum also called citizens to stop cursing their leaders, pray for them and offer constructive advice to them as they navigate the turbulent waters of public policy.
Other speakers at the event included Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, Gombe State Governor and Chairman of northern states governor forum; His Royal Highness Muhammad Saad Abubakar II, the Sultan of Sokoto; and Abubakar Sulaiman MD of Sterling Bank.
The northern youth roundtable is expected to yield communique and policy report that will be shared widely to guide northern governors and the federal government.
