A group of influential figures from Northern Nigeria recently gathered at the Arewa House in Kaduna to honor the late Premier Sir Ahmadu Bello. The event served as a platform for attendees to reflect on Bello’s legacy and discuss the current state of Northern Nigeria. While commending Bello’s leadership and contributions, the group also criticized successive leaders for perpetuating the region’s underdevelopment.
During the gathering, issues such as the need for accountability for Bello’s assassination, empowering women, correcting past mistakes, and promoting peace and unity were highlighted. The seminar was organized by the Rebuild Arewa Initiative for Development, a non-governmental organization dedicated to fostering peace, unity, and sustainable development in Northern Nigeria.
The attendees, including traditional leaders, policymakers, academicians, youth leaders, religious leaders, and civil society organizations, emphasized the importance of adopting Bello’s principles for sustainable peace, unity, and development in the region. Challenges such as education deficits, insecurity, and economic underdevelopment were also addressed in a communique issued at the end of the seminar.
The communique recognized the significance of Bello’s vision and leadership in addressing contemporary challenges faced by Northern Nigeria. It highlighted issues like the Almajiri system, ethno-religious conflicts, youth unemployment, and agricultural dependence as obstacles to the region’s progress. The stakeholders pledged to work collaboratively to overcome these challenges and build a better future for Northern Nigeria.