The annual commemorations of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, serve as crucial moments of reflection for Northern Nigeria and the nation as a whole. These events, often characterized by a mix of praise for his visionary leadership and criticism of subsequent governance, offer a platform for dialogue on the region’s past, present, and future. My recent attendance at the Reinvent Arewa event at Arewa House in Kaduna, a part of this year’s remembrance, underscored this complex interplay of legacy and contemporary challenges.
By Abdul-Azeez Suleiman
The event, chaired by His Royal Highness, Munir Jafaru Madakin Zazzau, and featuring prominent figures like Major Hamza Almustapha, Senator Natasha Akpoti, and a representative of the Kaduna State Governor, provided a diverse range of perspectives. The presence of these individuals, representing different political and social spheres, highlighted the broad interest in engaging with the Sardauna’s legacy and its relevance to contemporary issues. The discussions centered on Sir Ahmadu Bello’s contributions to Northern Nigeria’s development, a period often lauded for its progress in education, infrastructure, and social reforms. However, a recurring theme was the stark contrast between this era of progress and the subsequent trajectory of the region. Speakers frequently lamented the perceived failure of succeeding leaders to build upon the Sardauna’s foundations, leading to the current state of underdevelopment and insecurity.
Major Almustapha’s call for accountability regarding the Sardauna’s assassination struck a powerful chord. His demand that key figures from the period clarify their roles and the circumstances surrounding the event highlights the lingering unresolved questions and the need for historical reconciliation. This sentiment underscores the deep emotional connection many Northerners still hold to the Sardauna and their belief that his death significantly altered the course of the region’s development.
Senator Akpoti’s promise of forthcoming programs aimed at improving the lives of Northern women offered a glimmer of hope, demonstrating the potential for positive change. This commitment speaks to the need for targeted initiatives to address the specific challenges faced by women in the region, a critical aspect often overlooked in broader development strategies. The presence of a representative from the Obidient Movement, highlighting the importance of correcting past mistakes, further emphasized the need for a national reckoning with the legacy of the past and a commitment to building a better future.
The Reinvent Arewa Initiative (RAI4D), the event organizer, clearly articulated its commitment to peace, unity, and sustainable development in Northern Nigeria. Their emphasis on collaborative efforts and community engagement reflects a pragmatic approach to addressing the region’s multifaceted problems. This focus on grassroots mobilization and partnership-building suggests a recognition that lasting change requires a concerted and inclusive approach, going beyond top-down policy initiatives.
The final communique of the event succinctly summarized the key challenges facing Northern Nigeria: a significant education deficit, pervasive insecurity, and widespread economic underdevelopment. The alarmingly low literacy rates, exacerbated by a substantial gender gap, represent a serious impediment to progress. The pervasive insecurity, manifested in terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping, has devastated communities, disrupted educational systems, and displaced countless individuals. Furthermore, the region’s economic underdevelopment, marked by high unemployment rates, over-reliance on agriculture, and inadequate infrastructure, severely restricts its potential for growth. These interconnected challenges paint a picture of a region struggling to overcome a multitude of deeply rooted problems.
The event served as both a celebration of his legacy and a sobering assessment of Northern Nigeria’s current state. While the event paid tribute to his visionary leadership and contributions to the nation’s development, a pervasive feeling among attendees, myself included, was one of profound disappointment. Successive leaders have, in many ways, failed to uphold the Sardauna’s ideals, leaving the region grappling with significant socio-economic inequalities and persistent security challenges. This essay will explore this sentiment, highlighting the gap between the Sardauna’s vision and the reality of contemporary Northern Nigeria.
The Sardauna’s legacy is deeply rooted in his commitment to education, unity, and progress. He envisioned a prosperous and equitable North, integrated into a unified Nigeria. He championed education as the key to unlocking the region’s potential, fostering institutions and advocating for its expansion. However, decades later, the region still lags behind in key development indicators, including literacy rates, access to healthcare, and economic opportunities. Many attendees expressed frustration at the slow pace of progress, the lack of meaningful investment in human capital, and the persistence of widespread poverty despite the region’s vast resources.
Furthermore, the security situation casts a long shadow over any celebration of the Sardauna’s legacy. The persistent insurgency and related violence have destabilized communities, disrupted livelihoods, and undermined development efforts. This instability directly contradicts the Sardauna’s vision of a peaceful and united North, where people could live and thrive without fear. The event highlighted this stark contrast – a memory of a peaceful, progressive future juxtaposed with the harsh realities of today’s insecurity. The lack of effective governance and inadequate security measures are widely perceived as failures to uphold the principles of leadership and social responsibility that the Sardauna embodied.
The palpable frustration among attendees stemmed from the perceived disconnect between the promise of the Sardauna’s era and the current state of affairs. This wasn’t merely nostalgia; it was a genuine concern about the future of the region. Many felt that the political will and effective leadership necessary to address these deep-seated challenges were lacking. The event, therefore, became a catalyst for reflection and a call for a fundamental shift in governance and development strategies.
The hope, however, lies in the willingness of various groups, like RAI4D, to actively engage in promoting peace, unity, and development. The ongoing commemorations of Sir Ahmadu Bello, while serving as a poignant reminder of a lost leader, also offer a platform for constructive dialogue and the formulation of actionable plans to address the region’s pressing needs. The success of such initiatives ultimately depends on the commitment of Northern leaders to prioritize sustainable development and embrace inclusive governance models, building upon, rather than betraying, the legacy of the Sardauna.
In conclusion, while the commemoration of the Sardauna served as a powerful reminder of a glorious past, it also underscored the urgent need for transformative change in Northern Nigeria. The unfulfilled potential of the region, highlighted by the widespread disappointment among attendees, demands a concerted effort from leaders to embrace the Sardauna’s vision of progress, education, and unity, and to implement effective strategies to tackle the pressing socio-economic and security challenges that plague the region. Only through a genuine commitment to these principles can Northern Nigeria hope to fulfill its potential and create a future worthy of the Sardauna’s vision.
