Five decades after Ahmadu Bello, I challenge the north…

It is a well known fact that during his life time, Northern Nigeria rose from its backwardness in all spheres of human endeavours to the position of might, prominence and recognition not only in Nigeria and Africa, but also in the International arena. The cardinal principles of his leadership style were built on courage, zeal, […]

It is a well known fact that during his life time, Northern Nigeria rose from its backwardness in all spheres of human endeavours to the position of might, prominence and recognition not only in Nigeria and Africa, but also in the International arena.

The cardinal principles of his leadership style were built on courage, zeal, accountability, prudence and the enthusiasm for the advancement of Northernization in the areas of qualitative education, sustainable agriculture for marketing and provision of food, women empowerment, infrastructural development, and stable political atmosphere for all irrespective of tribal and religious affiliations.

Various gigantic projects too numerous to mention here were executed during his life time. These projects are still standing today and they are measured by all standards as the pride of the region. Ahmadu Bello and his team which consisted of men and women of honour were unbendable in their principles and ideologies. They had zero tolerance to corrupt tendencies; they laid a solid foundation for the successful take off of a strong, economic and political regional power block in the most populous black nation on earth, Nigeria.

Five decades after the demise of Ahmadu Bello, the north has witnessed the steady emergence of poor leadership; self-interest without regard for merit; greed replaces honour and morality; bigotry overshadows peaceful co-existence; lack of courage, fear and mistrust now reign supreme. It is quite unfortunate that, in spite of its high level of population and political opportunities and sophistication, Northern Nigeria is today holding talks and consultations, negotiations and counter-negotiations on the possibility of it controlling the number one position in Nigerian political scene; what an irony.

The questions we are to ask ourselves today are: has the north ever had the replacement of Ahmadu Bello? Do the so called leaders of the north truly have the interest of the region at heart or they are just leaders by name? Can the average and poor people of the north claim to have leaders in whose presence they feel secured and comfortable? Do these people truly have requisites of being leaders?

To an average northerner, the demise of Ahmadu Bello brought to an end the legacy of good governance and responsible leadership in that region. The continued use of the name of Ahmadu Bello by the so called northern leaders to win political sympathy and support, as well as to enrich themselves through foundations and fund raising events does not only signify the failure of the north to replace a leader of Ahmadu Bello’s caliber, but to a large extent, shows the level of criminal tendencies and leadership degeneration the region is suffering from.

Ahmadu Bello and his able team built numerous of schools from primary to tertiary level and made education free and accessible even to the sons and daughters of the poor Fulani nomads pasturing in the wild. Women education was also given considerable attention.

They constructed dams and water ways in order to facilitate farming activities and encouraged skills acquisition in the region. Durable roads were constructed for the movement of goods from and to the region. The idea of brotherliness among the people of the north irrespective of religious and tribal inclination was another trade mark of Ahmadu Bello and his team, which for once held the north as one indivisible entity.

We are wont to believe that, out of their passion to see that the north recorded an unprecedented growth in all spheres of human endeavour as well as catch up with the already developed regions of the south, numerous scholarships were awarded to indigenes to enable them obtain relevant qualifications, massive recruitment into the Nigerian Army was carried out which gave opportunity to many who ordinarily would not have got there.

Today, it is established beyond reasonable doubt that most of the beneficiaries of these humble policies and sacrifices are former presidents, federal ministers, ambassadors, permanent secretaries, state governors, senators, retired and serving senior military and police officers etc, etc, who by colonial orientation and plans for the region, are supposed to be gardeners, shoe shiners, security men, traditional body guards etc.

It is also important to note that Ahmadu Bello did all this to the people of the north, knowing quite well that he did not have a son that he could call a successor. It must be equally noted that he was not from a poor family background—he was privileged and comfortable.

If this writer may ask: From 1966 to date, who can claim to have stepped into the leadership shoes of Ahmadu Bello (Sardauna of Sokoto) in the entire northern region? The late Hassan Usman Katsina tried doing so but he became a victim of power blockage by the same people from the north holding on the reins of political power so he distanced himself from what they termed “unnecessary interference”.

It is quite unfortunate to hear that the salient features used in describing the north today are: street begging by the old and the young, filthy and unhygienic environment, devastating social and educational infrastructures, economic paralysis, hunger and starvation.

Other indices include: poor representation at the people’s parliaments, envy, hatred, persistent and accelerated widening of the gap between the rich and the poor and the obvious denial of assistance by the privileged to the unfortunate ones.

Without any apology or fear of contradiction, I can authoritatively say that Northern Nigeria of today does not have a leader. That all those claiming the leadership of the region are only doing so by name. That the so called leaders of the north are focus less, visionless, shameless, and without any sense of direction.

These are individuals who devour the wealth meant for the development of the region. They build their personal mansions for themselves, ride expensive cars and travel first class. They sponsor the education of their children abroad, while the primary schools in their towns are lacking desks, chalk even as the roof if at all there is any leaks badly.

These are the individuals that stash money in foreign banks and obtain property in the UK, USA, and UAE etc. They are presently governors, ministers, members of state and national assemblies. These are politicians who see getting undeserved chieftaincy tittles as primary responsibility rather than rendering service to humanity.

As for me, any northerner shouldered with the responsibility of taking care of my decent and legitimate needs within the confinement of a political entity called Nigeria, but, decided to do the contrary, by satisfying his selfish personal greed, to that person or group of persons, I say, “Allah ya isa ban yafe ba”. On this note, I challenge the north to produce one like of Ahmadu Bello, at least in every 50 years.

Ringim can be reached through ([email protected])