Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has described the Late Premier of the Northern region Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto as an exemplary leader whose qualities should be emulated for meaningful governance and development in Nigeria going forward.
Vice President Osinbajo stated this in lecture organised by the Sardauna Memorial Foundation with the theme: “Reviving the Northern Traditional Institutions, Imperatives on Peace and Security in the North held in Kano state North Western Nigeria.
He said said the Late Sarduana in his life time fought for good governance structure, wellbeing of the poor, education, industrialisation as well as elimination of ethnic and religious differences for the common good of the northerners and indeed all Nigerians.
“His love for the Talakawas (poor) humility, punctuality and generous contributions to mankind is highly commendable. He demonstrated that it’s possible to lead with Justice and fairness.”
“The emirate system in northern Nigeria was a well-structured institution which was handwork and legacy of Sardauna of Sokoto.
“The traditional institutions were enjoying the confidence of the people and were held in the highest esteem because they were responsible to the yearnings of their people”
Late Sarduana of Sokoto understands that the key to the future is blending tradition with modernity including education and dogged fight for democracy,” said Osinbajo.
He said there is the need to partner and strengthen the traditional institution to secure the nation stressing the government is expecting the National Assembly to work fast on a proposal before them on enhancing the roles of traditional institutions in Nigeria.
“Traditional leaders are needed in our collative resistance because they our first line of defence against insecurity. They see and hear what the government cannot”
The Collaboration between federal, state, local government and the traditional leaders will indeed improve our security including out of school children,” he said.
Vice president Osinbao said the federal government is working assiduously to ensure that all perpetrators of insecurity in the north and indeed the entire country were speedily prosecuted in line with the extant laws of the country.
“There is the need for collaboration between stakeholders and the ministry of Justice so that terrorist and their collaborators can be speedily prosecuted,” said the Vice president.
Kano state Governor Dr. Umar Ganduge eulogised the Late Sarduana of Sokoto, Sir Ahmodu Bello for his visionary leadership in human and capital development of the north, otherwise the region would have remained underdeveloped till date.
“What we should be doing now is not to be praising but try to sustain and consolidate on his achievement” said Ganduge.
He said Kano state in this regard has increased governance roles of the five Emirate councils in the states as projects are being executed all over as they are also being involved in security matters for the benefit of all.
The chairman board of trustees, Sardauna Memorial foundation, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, who was also a former governor of Niger state said the late Sir Ahmadu Bello had lived a worthy life which those in position of authorities ought to emulate with commitment and vigor.
The Vice President later paid a condolence visit to the family of the Late Bashir Tofa, a Presidential candidate under the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) whom he described as a patriot and Democrat.
He also paid similar condolence visit to the families of Late Bamba BUK, a renowned Islamic scholar in Kano state before returning to Abuja late Tuesday evening.
Dominica Nwabufo
