‘Sardauna’s legacy should be emulated to solve North’s challenges’
The Director of Strategic Communication and Publicity and a member of the Board of Trustees of Rebuild Arewa Initiative for Development (RAID), Comrade Bitako Abubakar Umar, has called on Northern elders and political leaders to emulate the legacies of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria and Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, as a pathway […]
The Director of Strategic Communication and Publicity and a member of the Board of Trustees of Rebuild Arewa Initiative for Development (RAID), Comrade Bitako Abubakar Umar, has called on Northern elders and political leaders to emulate the legacies of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria and Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, as a pathway to addressing the region’s mounting challenges.
Speaking at a media conference in Abuja, Comrade Bitako expressed RAID’s concern over the worsening insecurity in Northern Nigeria, describing the inability of security agencies to protect lives and property as a reflection of poor governance driven by political and personal interests.
“The level of insecurity in Northern Nigeria is quite alarming. Northern elders and politicians must emulate the legacies of the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, who gave everything he had—including his life—for the North. He led by example, without tribal or religious sentiments,” he said.
Comrade Bitako also noted that RAID has taken its advocacy to the grassroots, touring all 19 Northern states to engage traditional rulers, politicians, youths and other stakeholders, while promoting unity, peace and tolerance across the region’s diverse communities.
- 60 years after the 1st coup: ‘My grandfather paid ultimate price for Nigeria’
- Bayelsa approves N200m monthly grant for farmers to boost food production
He further criticised what he described as the mismanagement of public funds by some Northern governors under the guise of tackling insecurity, even as the situation continues to deteriorate. According to him, public office holders should emulate the legacies of the late Sardauna of Sokoto and Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who, he said, died without leaving behind wealth or property acquired through illegitimate means.
RAID also expressed concern that the federal and Northern state governments have failed to adequately immortalise the Sardauna’s legacy, despite the sacrifices he made. The group recalled January 15, 1966, when the late Northern leader paid the ultimate price during the military coup led by Major Kaduna Nzeogwu that overthrew Nigeria’s democratically elected government.