Retired Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha has emphasised the importance of promptness in addressing pressing issues affecting Nigeria.
He made this known while speaking at the Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto Remembrance Day event held at the Arewa House, Wednesday in Kaduna.
He highlighted the need for Nigerians to reflect on the nation’s potential, describing it as a ‘blessed but disorganised land.’
He revisited historical events, particularly the 1963 disagreement over the emergence of petroleum in Nigeria.
According to Al-Mustapha, the late Sardauna of Sokoto’s insistence on refining oil within Nigeria was a significant factor in his persecution.
He described Sardauna’s stance as a bold effort to ensure Nigeria’s economic independence, a vision that remains unfulfilled.
Mr Al-Mustapha lamented the state of the Northern region, describing it as being left in a state of neglect following the loss of its leaders.
He stated that the current situation in the North runs counter to Sardauna’s legacy, urging Northerners to unite in reclaiming the region’s lost glory.
To restore the Northern region’s honour, security, education, and economy, Mr Al-Mustapha called for respect for traditional leaders and the revival of Sardauna’s values like fearlessness, courage, authenticity, and teamwork.
He underscored the importance of fostering unity to bring back the prosperity and dignity of Nigeria and the North.
He said that the call was a reminder of the need for collective action in rebuilding a nation true to the ideals of its founding leaders.
Earlier in his welcome remarks , the National President of the Rebuild Arewa Initiative for Development, RAID, Balarabe Rufai, has urged Northern leaders to embrace the visionary leadership of the late Sardauna.
He urged them to regard it as a blueprint for sustainable development in the region.
Mr Rufai highlighted the exemplary leadership of the Sardauna, whose legacy focused on education, agricultural growth, and infrastructure development.
He lamented the neglect of these ideals, which had left the North grappling with poverty, insecurity, poor education, and inadequate infrastructure.
Mr Rufai criticised the current leadership trends, citing a shift from service-oriented governance to a focus on personal power and wealth accumulation.
Mr Rufai called for renewed efforts to invest in education, rebuild agricultural industries such as groundnut and cotton production, and develop infrastructure to restore the North’s economic vitality.
He stressed the importance of addressing security challenges through a combination of military action and community-driven peacebuilding initiatives.
Mr Rufai also urged President Bola Tinubu to enforce federal employment policies that favour Northerners, combat drug abuse, and address regional inequalities.
In her remarks, Sen. Natasha Akpoti, called for a renewed focus on the Northern region’s economic potential, highlighting groundnut production and agriculture as key drivers of Nigeria’s prosperity.
Mrs Akpoti emphasised the historical significance of the groundnut pyramid and the region’s contribution to Nigeria’s refineries’ development.
She urged leaders to reclaim the legacy of the late Sardauna by revisiting strategic plans and fostering collaboration among the stakeholders to revitalise agriculture and industrialisation in the North.
According to her, Northerners are hardworking and capable, requiring only education and guidance to excel in ventures like cotton farming and other agricultural activities.
Mrs Akpoti noted the region’s untapped wealth in agriculture and natural resources, stressing the need to address challenges such as insecurity, poor education, and inadequate governance.
Representing, Governor Uba Sani, a Special Adviser, Dr. Ahmed Ishak, highlighted ongoing efforts to empower the rural communities, reiterating the importance of creating leaders who embody Sardauna’s values of selflessness and vision.
Pastor Yohanna Buru, the keynote speaker at the event, described the Sardauna as a unifying leader who governed without bias.
He appealed to the Northerners to emulate his selflessness, set aside ethnic and religious affiliations, and work towards a united as well as prosperous Northern Nigeria.
The Director of Strategic Communication for RAID, Mr Bitako Umar, echoed these sentiments, emphasising the need for a _Northern Renaissance’, to ensure progress, equity, and security for all.
He called on the stakeholders for more initiatives that aligned with the Sardauna’s vision of a prosperous and united North.
NAN
