Kanwan Katsina and District Head of Ketare, Alhaji Usman Bello Kankara, mni,
The Kanwan Katsina and District Head of Ketare, Alhaji Usman Bello Kankara, mni, has paid glowing tribute to the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of the defunct Northern Nigeria, describing him as an enduring symbol of visionary leadership and selfless public service.
Alhaji Usman Bello spoke in his capacity as a Royal Father at the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Katsina State Council, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the assassination of the late Northern Premier during the January 1966 military coup in Kaduna.
The former Customs Controller urged leaders at all levels of government to draw inspiration from Sir Ahmadu Bello’s legacy and build upon it for the overall development of the nation. According to him, six decades after his death, the name of Sir Ahmadu Bello continues to dominate both historical and contemporary discourse on democratic leadership, governance and public service in Nigeria.
He commended the NUJ Katsina State Council for sustaining the memorial lecture and encouraged the union to institutionalise the event as an annual platform for reflection on purposeful leadership.
The Kanwan Katsina noted that the late Premier’s foresight laid a solid foundation for socio-economic development in Northern Nigeria, particularly through the establishment of enduring institutions such as Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and critical infrastructure that remain in use today. He recalled with pride that he is an alumnus of ABU Zaria, where he graduated in 1981.
Delivering the guest lecture, a Bayero University Kano academic, Dr Bala Abdullahi Mohamed, highlighted Sir Ahmadu Bello’s success in forging unity among the diverse ethnic groups of the former Northern Region. He said the Sardauna implemented transformative policies, projects and programmes that accelerated development and promoted cohesion across the region.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of an Award of Honour to Alhaji Usman Bello Kankara, mni, who is the Patron of the NUJ Katsina State Council, in recognition of his consistent support for the union and its activities.
Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe, who delivered the keynote address. He extolled the exemplary virtues of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, describing them as worthy of emulation by present and future leaders.
In a related development, the Kanwan Katsina congratulated the Chairman of the NUJ Katsina State Council, Comrade Tukur Hassan Dan Ali, on his promotion to the rank of Permanent Secretary in the Katsina State Civil Service. He described the promotion as well deserved and urged the new Permanent Secretary to work diligently for the development of Katsina State, while wishing him divine guidance and success in his new role.
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