Forty-five years after the death of Sir Ahmadu Bello

This tribute has become an annual past time for this writer as his little effort to recreate in the minds of the people of the entire North, especially the up-coming leaders to know that sir. Ahmadu Bello was a role model. Also, it is to enable our people, to remain conscious of Sir Ahmadu Bello’s […]

This tribute has become an annual past time for this writer as his little effort to recreate in the minds of the people of the entire North, especially the up-coming leaders to know that sir. Ahmadu Bello was a role model. Also, it is to enable our people, to remain conscious of Sir Ahmadu Bello’s place in the political evolution of the North and the country he had served with dedication until his gruesome murder with his beloved wife on the 15 January 1966 by the rebellion soldiers, that were led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna who want to effect a change of the political leadership of that time.

The story of Sir Ahmadu Bello is a story of struggle, achievement and contentment. Hardly does an occasion take place in the North that would attract the people of the North passed without the mentioning of the name of Ahmadu Bello. This is because of the tremendous achievements he has made for the North which is unparalleled.

It is under the leadership of Sir Ahmadu Bello that the backbone for the development of the Northern region was laid. The legacies bequeathed to the North, still stand the test of time like the New Nigerian Development Company, New Nigerian Newspaper, Bank of the North, etc.

It was Sir Ahmadu Bello who laid the basic programme for the eventual development of the north through the institution of a program to train the required manpower that formed the basic of network for the political and administrative life of the northern region and later the country at large.

In order to keep the people of the North abreast of what was happening within the circle of running the government he set-up the Radio Television Kaduna, then Broadcasting Service of Northern Nigeria to propagate the gospel of the regional government, and at the same time, blow it’s own trumpet because of some remote areas were unable to access to newspaper. The creation of the NNDC, which is now solely controlled by the nineteen northern states, was the foresight of the late, Sardauna of Sokoto towards industrializing the north. More importantly, he was the protector of economic policies of the north, as such, he assiduously encouraged the agricultural production, especially the great staple product of the North (groundnut), which was the main source of revenue generation for the region. It was the north’s wealth and it supplied nearly 85% of exports and four-fifths of the working population in the north engaged in it’s production and cultivation. As such, the economy of the north was strong.

Sardauna, as a nationalist, apart from being the Premier of the north, perceived the north in the context of Nigeria and felt that federalism should develop at a great speed, and in such a way that the northern interest were not defeated- the idea was for the north to catch up with south.

Sardauna of Sokoto, as a shrewd politician, knew the art of politics more than our present politicians as he sensitized the people of the north on the mode of operation of modern politics and he played it without acrimony and rancor. He believed that he had a primary responsibility as the premier of the Northern region, that the North should be one and welded it together into a cohesive force. His blend of politics and administrative skills were very pragmatic.

Forty-two years after his death, all his legacies are clearly out there for all to see and if our leaders that came after him had carry on from where this gem stopped, the north would have been different today. The present leaders of the North have betrayed his hope and the aspirations he envisaged for the north and the people. One statement made by the Sardauna that remain a reoccurring decimal was the one he made when Britain gave their consent for self governing and this statement is still valid. “Here in the north, from whatever part of it. We may come, we have always prided ourselves that we conduct ourselves with dignity, tolerance, and understanding”. Sir Ahmadu Bello built a formidable political follower ship, cutting across political divides and geo-political zones in the north. He was what political watchers would describe as a political empire.

That was why during his time, one saw people who were not of the same tribe and religion working together, like late Pastor Lot, late Micheal Audu Buba, late sunday Awoniyi, late Manassa Daniel etc. He had a motto “Work and Worship.” This motto was adopted because it embodied the sense of individual effort and faith, without which nothing of value in this world can be accomplished.

To most Nigerians, Sir Ahmadu Bello was more a legend. But he was a truly remarkable man who disdain wealth, and who ruled the north, yet owned only ten acres of land to farm. He worked and prayed for his people with such inspired energy. His exemplary life had shamed the corrupt.

I grew up to learn more about this selfless public servant and a good politician this part (North) ever had and admire him as a role model from my late father Alhaji Garba Beti Santuraki who stayed with his elder brother, the late Malam Umaru Beti who was Sardauna’s classmate. I realized that. It is not possible to find anyone who can match the shoes of the late Sardauna of Sokoto premier of Northern Nigeria. Allah Ya Jikan Sir Ahmadu Bello. The present crop of leaders from the north are not equal to Sardauna Ahmadu Bello, but virtually most of them benefited from his free educational policy.

Usman Garba Santuraki wrote from House No 321 Jambutu Jimeta-Yola. e-mail:usbaturaki