Ahmadu Bello’s Demise Created a Leadership Vacuum in Nigeria- Prof Malumfashi

A renowned academic, Prof. Mansur Usman Malumfashi, has said the death of Sir Ahmadu Bello 58 years ago created a vacuum of good governance and quality leadership.

Malumfashi made the disclosure in a paper entitled “Fifty Eight Years Without Sir Ahmad Bello: How The North Can Rise Again”, which he presented to commemorate the 58^th Years of the death of the Sardaunan Sokoto and Premier of Northern, in Katsina.

The occasion was as part of activities to mark the Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Katsina State Council, held at the Motel Conference Room, on Monday.

The University Don described  the Late Ahmadu Bello Sir as a unique leader who was ‘a man of the people and people’s man,”  anda detrabilised Nigerian who worked with the likes of Aminu Kanoi, Waziri Ibrahim, Joseph Tarka, Sunday Owoniyi, Micheal Buba Audu, Jolly Tanko Yusuf, Christopher Abashiya, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Isa Kaita.

“The late Premier of Blessed memory was a symbol of unity to the North because of his selflessness and purposeful leadership,” he said.

“The emerging enthusiasm with which northern leaders visualize and resolutely pursue the interest of the North can be attributed to Sir Ahmadu Bello.

“In his time the north was a homogeneous entity devoid of over intra and inter political religious and ethnic rivalries.

“One may attribute this peaceful atmosphere and development initiatives to the moral credentials and strict adherence to the religious precepts of Islam and Christianity.

“Hausa Language is the undisputed Lingua Franca of Northern Nigeria was the identity factor which enable any Northerner irrespective of his mother tongue, to enjoy the privileges of brotherly love, peace, accommodation, security etc.

“In spirit of different ethnic backgrounds, a solid cultural and political base was laid under the leadership of Sir Ahmadu Bello which was inclusive and impactful”

Malumfashi said that the late northern Premier was an astute and transparent politician who left many legacies behind including Northern Regional Development Corporation, Bank of the North, Broadcasting Company of Northern Nigeria, Nigerian Citizen Newspapers, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna Polytechnic to mention just a few.

Professor Malumfashi of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.

He said despite the vacuum created by the demise of Ahadu Bello almost six decades ago, the northern region has all takes in terms of human and material resources for growth and development.

“The ability and capacity to surmount the contemporary challenges facing the north is what would make it rise again,” he stated.

 “There is no doubt that the north is facing unprecedented challenges coming from all directions. Even Sardauna would not have imagined that such challenges would face the north he knew and love so much”