Former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Prof. Ango Abdullahi, and political economist Dr Usman Bugaje have urged leaders and elites in Northern Nigeria to return to the principles of integrity, sacrifice and visionary leadership in order to overcome the region’s growing challenges.
The duo made the call on Saturday during the third edition of the Late Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina Memorial Conference held at Arewa House, Kaduna.
The event, themed “From Sacrifice to Strategy: Rekindling Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina’s Vision for a Prosperous Northern Nigeria,” focused on leadership, governance and the future of the region.
Speaking at the conference, Abdullahi attributed the North’s current socio-economic difficulties and leadership crisis to the abandonment of the values and ideals upheld by the region’s founding leaders.
He noted that although the region had recorded physical development over the years, it had experienced a decline in virtues such as discipline, honesty, accountability and selfless service.
“The North has lost its values. If we had maintained the principles inherited from our parents and early leaders, the region would not have reached its present condition,” Abdullahi said.
He stressed that meaningful progress would require leaders to revive the ideals demonstrated by late Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina, particularly his commitment to responsible leadership, integrity and public service.
Also speaking at the event, Bugaje highlighted insecurity, declining agricultural output, poverty, weak institutions and poor social services as some of the major issues affecting Northern Nigeria.
He argued that these challenges were partly linked to a departure from the strategic thinking and leadership standards associated with previous generations of leaders.
Bugaje expressed concern that insecurity had negatively affected farming, businesses and livelihoods across the region, while questioning whether current leadership structures were adequately prepared to address the situation.
He called on Northern elites to move beyond discussions about the region’s problems and focus on developing practical solutions that would rebuild trust and drive sustainable growth.
Reflecting on his relationship with Gen. Hassan Katsina, Bugaje described him as a leader who valued intellectual independence, discipline, humility and commitment to the collective interest.
He said restoring such qualities was essential to addressing the region’s security and development challenges.
The annual memorial conference was organised to preserve the legacy of the late military administrator and encourage conversations on leadership, governance and the future direction of Northern Nigeria.
(NAN)