Sir Ahmadu Bello 10th Memorial Lecture: Gov. Inuwa Sues For Unity,Calls For Action

…Re-envision the northern agro agenda of Sir Ahmadu Bello, engender skill acquisition-Niger State Gov., Bogo

…In order for us to address these challenges, I think we must address the root causes of all this problem, which is corruption in Nigeria-Gov. Zulum

…the rise of banditry and insurgency in Nigeria is a direct consequences of deep rooted socio-economic and governance issues.These challenges are symptomatic of systemic failures that have perpetuated poverty, inequality,and disenfranchisement within our communities-Muazu Babangida Aliyu

My friend and brother, the governor of Borno State, Prof. Zulum took us through a marathon detailing of  what we need to know, what we should be doing now but  that cannot happen unless all of us key in and work together.

The executive governor of  Gombe State  who also double as the Chairman, Northern States Governors’ Forum and chairman of the occasion H. E Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya sues for the  unity and alignment of all on Saturday, 27th January at the 10th annual lecture of Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture held at government house, Maiduguri, Borno State on   while describing the 10th Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture as a  wonderful opportunity to interact and share wisdom with  one another on the problems of the north and  ineeded the problem of Nigeria says the theme of the of the year lecture ” Creating Pathways For Peace: Tackling Banditry and Insurgency Through Good Governance For Sustainable Development” being  basically the two problems that have been bedeviling  the north and indeed  the entire Nigeria.

Notes that the theme also suggested the way out & solution because through good governance and sustainable development, a peaceful pathways will be created, banditry and Insurgency will be tackled.

“Good governance and sustainable development were the two ideas, principally that the Sardaunan of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello stood for, and those that were in his team. And those were the two things that propelled the north not only to match its fears at that time, and  the other two or three regions, but even to surpass then. All that happened, because there was one person, the Sardaunan of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello who took charge and took responsibility.

we pray that Almighty God continues to rest  him in peace.

Gov. Inuwa added, “certainly the issues at hand had been the issues that has been discussed severally, there were the issues that made the northern states governors’ forum to even come up with the idea of setting out to say we want to build a foundation so that we will think  aback, review what has  happened in the past and prepare ourselves  and catapult the north to the high level.

And I must admit that that too has been mentioned. My friend and brother, the governor of Borno State, Prof. Zulum took us through a marathon detailing of  what we need to know, what we should be doing now but  that cannot happen unless all of us key in and work together.

There is a serious disconnect between the people and the government, between politics and politicians themselves. And between the total system and the connectivity with development that is very seriously and we need to analyze and understand to my dismay, and I believe to the dismay of virtually everybody here,  know that was monolithic. That was changing almost a one line that was acting on one line in terms of results in those days, up to 1966 But unfortunately, we’ve allowed elements of disabilities,much sense of poverty and hunger and so much disease.

The people who follow them to pull up and lead that is why this has to be addressed leadership is what is supposed to provide the answer and I want to assure you that the governance of donors this time around, not only in which you know all discussing or reaching out to books to find out what happened in the past. We are looking for the practical ways to implement because we’ll have several businesses just within the week on Tuesday precisely.

We want for a book launch. Similar issues came up after that Wayne’s World engagement organised by the Coalition of Northern groups also on security or insecurity that forbids the whole of the US with the numbers we have close to 55 million of the population of the country, maybe two thirds but I attempt to say that it is even more than two thirds of the landmass of Nigeria. Nobody needs to tell us that if we do the needful rightly, We shall reach the destination. So I wanted to agree with all the speakers. Particularly our guest speaker  who made the analysis and brought out the issues and I want to agree with Professor, they have the knowledge, they know where and how but I must plead with all of us to accept the reality on ground that  demands that we change style.

We must change I wish you didn’t get any amendment to the Constitution. Members of the National Assembly are here. If you see the structure is fine and good, but the structure was clear guidelines with a mindset that you are not out to cheat anybody don’t have self control.

We have got all that is needed for peace, security, sustainable development, we have the land and the numbers; nothing is more important in terms of developing economy than human resource. We have it we have the land,  the mineral resources. If you talk about petroleum, it’s not today or yesterday that God endowed us with Petroleum  but because of politics, or misinterpretation of politics, the north was denied the right somehow it been with the leadership from the north to another .

“So then why should we fear,why should we feel void,why should we feel empty, why should we fear if it is for Agric? Why should we fear if it is for the human resource?

We have the numbers, the great minerals and the vast land, what we need to do is to come together, aligned together and run fast so we can catch up. It’s not an easy thing because the disconnect cannot be addressed in one day. It happened over several years but if we  want to connect we must get back.

So we need to do a lot. And that is why I want to assure the Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation, the Northern States Governors’Forum and indeed the entire leadership of the north, particularly the traditional leadership. But this time around,our effort is focused towards seeing that we work the talk, we need to work  it and that is our pillar.

We will go deeper and  insist on implementation . That is the  message and on behalf of the northern state governors, I want to thank each and everybody for coming to the  10th annual lecture.

I praying that as we move on, may  Allah return us to home,  I didn’t take my speech, I will give it to the Secretariat.

Re-envision the northern agro agenda of Sir Ahmadu Bello, engender skill education -Niger State Gov., Bogo

“This is the way forward” says the executive governor of Niger State, Muhammad Umar Bago while commending the Governor for the giant strides and work he’s doing in terms of security, infrastructure development, and human capacity development and appeal to host the 13th edition of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture in Niger State.

Bogo discribes the theme as apt, argues that agriculture and skill acquisition targeted at engaging our teeming youth population in agriculture and industry.

The north under the leadership of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardaunan of Sokoto thrives in peace, progress and development prior to the discovery of oil when Nigeria depended on agro production. So what went wrong? We have abandoned our responsibilities as agrarian people and waiting for allocation from the federal government.

This narrative must change and that is the way to tackle banditry insurgency through good governance.

“Niger State today is the largest state more than any state we know in terms of land size, and maybe population, Niger State is sitting on 8.3 million hectares of land not up to 300,000 hectares of land had been cultivated deliberately. So as a government, we have seen that the used space in the state are also responsible for kinds of insecurities. So we are putting so much resources in clearing of land and preparedness for food production where technology and mechanization will deployed so that we can make giant employment.

“I want to differ from my colleague and sue that we give emphasis to agriculture. In the North as a solution to insecurity. As government, government must do the impossible by creating an enabling environment for these things to thrive.

The founding father of the northern Nigeria, the Sardaunan of Sokoto was very apt when he decided to make agriculture the focus of northern Nigeria, even at independence.

We are so divided on issues of ethnicity religion, because people are bored, they are idle people who are not doing nothing. If you are busy, you will not have time to think of this kind of rubbish-banditry.

Education we have to start a new conversation as Northern Nigeria on education, our curriculum must be in tandem with what is obtainable globally. You can’t go to school without skill. Our teeming youth population don’t have skills. The regime of parading certificates is over. Artificial Intelligence have taken that away.

We need skills;we need to decide to say we need to speak English in our schools so that you don’t waste another seven years trying to learn English? The Chinese experience the Malaysian experience and other experiences prompted that we need to start a new conversation as northerners on which way forward for education.

The host gov., Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State while congratulating the awardees describes the lecture as a significant event, says the foundation crucial role in keeping the memory and legacy of our founding father  alive and fostering unity among the people of Northern Nigeria is  commendable.

On the theme of the lecture, Zulum said “It highlights the challenges we face over the years, particularly in the wake of Boko Haram crisis. It is evident that good governance is crucial in curbing future insurgencies”

The  state has  undertaken various projects with the aim of promoting good governance and tackling insecurity or banditry. Our efforts are focused on board kinetic and non kinetic approaches to the crisis and also looks at the root causes of the crisis.

We have undertaken and still continuing projects in infrastructure development, education, healthcare and agriculture. and job creation. We firmly believe in providing for our people  the necessary tools and opportunities that can create the enabling pathways and environment for peace and sustainable development. Our one step was to demonstrate how good governance can contribute to tackling banditry,  insurgency and other form of insecurity.

We have undertaken and successfully executed many in the areas of structural  reforms. Health care enhancement, employment and job creation. Security Cooperation, our  administration has actively collaborated with security agencies to enhance the security situation in the state. This include providing support and resources to the military, police and other security forces to strengthen the capacities in combating insurgency. Additionally, establishing  joint task force that works alongside security forces to gather intelligence for attack communities and counter insurgency activities, at the grassroot, we have strengthened the resilience of the community and I want to put it  to the kind notice of the gathering than the security of the state has improved by about 95% and the state will be totally free of insurgency before the end of this administration, our understanding of the multi faceted approach required to address banditry and insurgency by focusing on infrastructure development, education, healthcare, economic and security collaboration, have shown that through effective governance, a conducive environment one  can be created to tackle these challenges and create the way for lasting peace and sustainable development.

governance under all circumstances are not limited to fulfilling of campaign promises but restoration of livelihoods resettlement reconstruction, rehabilitation catering for youth, women,  disabilities and total inclusiveness in the decision making process and put security where majority of the population are not able to go to.

We recognize the importance of supporting this noble cause. Therefore we will continue to support the foundation and carrying out his mandate effectively.

Responding to the lecture, gov. Zulum said, I listen attentively to the lecture that have been delivered by Professor Tijjani Muhammad Bande, GCON  which accounts on six main areas that shall we look into for us to get sustainable peace and development in north and the entire  Nigeria. He spoke about the middle class,quality education, modernizing agriculture, building infrastructure, rebuilding civil service and establishing a credible media. But to my own observation, all these suggestions are very apt. But in order for us to address these challenges, I think we must address the root causes of all this problem, which is corruption in Nigeria.

Once you address the issues of corruption, I believe all these problems will resolved.Lack of commitment is also a corruption very serious corruption.

The quest speaker, Prof. Tijjani Muhammad Bande CON in his lecture titled ” Beyond Lamentations: Uprooting Banditry And Insurgency Through Good Governance For Sustainable Development in Nigeria” extolled the legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello and the Northern region, governance as well as  juxtaposing the realities of his era (1957-1966) and the realities of our contemporaries society.

He also shared his ideal priority areas which in his view if  undivided  attention is given to will yield reasonably quick dividends while acknowledging hopeful signs of positive change as he gives  recommendations.

Earlier, the chairman,board of trustees, Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Chief Servant Muazu Babangida Aliyu in his opening remarks says” this year theme, ” creating pathways for peace: tackling banditry and insurgency through good governance for sustainable development in Nigeria” could not be more relevant or timely. As we stand at the crossroads of history,our nation is confronted by the grace challenges of banditry and insurgency, which have inflicted untold suffering on our people and threatened the very fabric of society.

The Talban Minna, Sardaunan of Hausa adds, ” the rise of banditry and insurgency in Nigeria is a direct consequences of deep rooted socio-economic and governance issues.These challenges are symptomatic of systemic failures that have perpetuated poverty, inequality,and disenfranchisement within our communities. It is clear that the absence of good governance and sustainable development has created fertile ground for conflict and instability, undermining our colective efforts to build a peaceful and prosperous nation. Corruption hasb becomerampant to the extent of sellingg government employment, anything you want in most government offices, you  must pay.

In addressing these pressing issues, the chief servant recommended,  we
must recognize that sustainable peace
and development are intrinsically linked to good governance. We cannot hope to eradicate banditry and insurgency without addressing the underlying grievances and vulnerabilities that fuel these conflicts. Therefore, it is imperative that we embark on a comprehensive and  holistic approach that prioritizes
good governance, econonmic empower-
ment, and social inclusion.

First and foremost, we must
strengthen the institutions of governance and uphold the rule of law. This requires a concerted effort to combat corruption, promote transparency, and ensure accountability at all levels of government. By fostering a culture of integrity and ethical leadership, we can restore public trust and confidence in our institutions, thereby laying the groundwork for sustainable development and peace.

Secondly, we must invest in
inclusive and equitable economic development. It is essential to create opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and skill development, particularly
In the regions that have been
marginalized and neglected. By

addressing the underlying
economic disparities, we can
mitigate the vulnerabilities that
make communities susceptible to extremist ideologies and criminal activities.

Furthermore, we must prioritize
education, particularly for our
youth, as a potent weapon against ignorance and radicalization. By providing quality education and
promoting critical thinking, we can empower our young people to become agents of positive change and contributors to the nation’s development. Who removed history from our schools and why ?
Who cancelled Grade II teacher
certificate and why?.

In addition, we must redouble our efforts to address the humanitarian crisis resulting from conflict and displacement. This requires a compassionate and coordinated approach to provide relief, rehabilitation, and resettlement for affected communities, with a focus

on restoring their dignity and
livelihoods.

As we chart this course towards peace and sustainable development, we must
also acknowledge the critical role of traditional and community leaders in fostering reconciliation and social
cohesion. Their wisdom, e experience, and Influence are invaluable in resolving conflicts, promoting dialogue, and building consensus within their communities. They also also control a

dependable and reliable instrurments of intelligence gathering.

He concludes “let us reaffirm our
commitment to creating pathways for peace through good governance and
Sustainable development. The task ahead of us is formidable, but with unity, determination, and a shared vision for a better Nigeria,we can overcome the challenges of banditry and insurgency”.

The 10th annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture climaxed with merit award presentation to award recipients, the presentation of 2025 annual lecture hosting right to Bauchi state government and a dinner amidst performance by culture troupe.