During the gathering at the 10th Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation lecture and award ceremony in Maiduguri, Vice President Kashim Shettima and northern governors highlighted the detrimental impact of corrupt governance on the prevailing insecurity in the North and the entire nation.
Represented by his special adviser on Political Affairs, Hakeem-Baba Ahmed, Vice President Shettima pointed out that the present leaders have deviated from the legacy of accountability, fairness, and probity left by Sardauna, underscoring corruption by leaders as a primary root cause of the security challenges.
He stressed that leaders must refrain from corruption to rise above common criminal elements like thieves, bandits, and kidnappers.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum echoed similar sentiments, attributing the nation’s failure to get things right to corruption. He called on leaders to prioritize good governance as a solution.
The guest speaker, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, urged policymakers to address the abuse of power and insecurity challenges facing the country.
He highlighted the glorification of Sardauna, emphasizing the values of teamwork, resilience, and commitment to education, agriculture, and infrastructural development.
Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, chairman of the northern governor Forum, asserted that good governance is the key to resolving insecurity in the region and the nation at large.
Several individuals, including Emeritus Professor Umaru Shehu, Aisha Muhammed Nahuce, Professor Deborah Eniho, and Adams David Baiki, were honored with awards during the ceremony.
The 11th Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture is scheduled to be hosted by Bauchi State in 2025.
