FORTY-TWO YEARS AFTER THE DEATH OF SIR. AHMADU BELLO
It was just like yesterday but, it is forty-two (42) years, since the late, sir. Ahmadu Bello Sardauna of Sokoto left this world as a result of his brutal murder by some Military men led by Major Chukwuma Nzeagu known as " CHUKWUMA KADUNA" in public parlance. This tribute has become an annual past time for this writer as his little effort to recreate in the minds of the people of the entire North especially the up-coming leaders to know that sir. Ahmadu Bello is a role model. Also, it is to enable our people, to remain conscious of sir, Ahmadu Bello’s place in the political evolution of the North and the country he had served dedicatedly until his gruesome murder with his beloved wife on the 15 January 1966 by the rebelliou soldiers, that were led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna who want to effect a change of the political leadership of that time.
The story of sir. Ahmadu Bello is a story of struggle, achievement and contentment. Hardly does an occasion take place in the North, that would attract thela-de-crème of the North passed without the mention of the name of Ahmadu Bello. This is because of the tremendous achievements he has made for the Northwhich is unparallel.
It is under the leadership of SiR,Ahmadu Bello that the backbone for the development of the Northern region was laid. His legacies bequeathed to the North, still stand the test of time like the New Nigerian Development Company, New Nigerian Newspaper, Bank of the North e.t.c. It was Sir, Ahmadu Bello who lay the basic programme for the eventual development of the north through the institution of a program to train the required manpower, that formed the basic of network for the political and administrative life of the northern region and later the country at large.
In order to keep the people of the North abreast of what is happening within the circle of running the government he set-up the Radio Television Kaduna then Broadcasting Service of Northern to propagate the gospel of the regional government and at the same time, blow it’s own trumpet because of some remote areas were unable to get access to newspaper. The creation of the NNDC which is now solely controlled by the nineteen northern states is the foresight of the late, Sardauna of Sokoto towards industrializing the north. More importantly, he is the protector of economic policies of the north as such he assiduously encouraged the agricultural production especially the great staple product of the North (Groundnut) which is the main source of revenue generation for the region and it is the north’s wealth and it supplies nearly 85% of exports and four-fifths of the working population in the north engaged in it’s production and cultivation as such the economy of the north is stronger.
Sardauna as a nationalist, apart from being the Premier of the north, perceived the north in the context of Nigeria and felt that federalism should develop at a great speed, and in such a way that the northern interest were not defeated- the idea was for the north to catch up with south Sardauna of Sokoto as a shrewd politician, knows the art of politics more than our present politicians as he sensitized the people of the north on the mode of operation of modern politics and he played it without acrimony and rancor. He believed that he has a primary responsibility as the premier of the Northern region, that the north should be one and welded it together into a cohesive force. His blend of politics and administrative skills is so pragmatic.
Forty-two years after his death, all his legacies are clearly out there for all to see and if our leaders, that came after him has carry on from where this gem stopped, the north could have been different today. The present leaders of the North have betrayed his hope and the aspiration he envisaged for the north and the people. One statement made by the Sardauna that remain a reoccurring decimal is the one, he made when British give their concession for self governing and this statement is still valid” Here in the north, from whatever part of it we may come, we have always prided ourselves that we conduct ourselves with dignity, tolerance, and understanding”. Sir, Ahmadu Bello built a formidable political follower ship cutting across political divides and geo-political zones in the north. He is what political watchers describe as a political empire.
That was why, during his time, one see people that are not of the same tribe and religion working together like late Pastor Lot ,late Micheal Audu Buba,late Sunday Awoniyi,late Manassa Daniel e.t.c. He has a motto “Work and Worship” this motto was adopted because it embodies the sense of individual effort and faith, without which nothing of value in this world can be accomplished.
To most Nigerians, Sir Ahmadu Bello is more a legend. But he is a truly remarkable man who disdain wealth, and who ruled the north, yet owned only ten acres of land to farm. He worked and prays for his people with such inspired energy and he slept only in snatches. His exemplary life has shamed the corrupt.
I grew up to learn more on this selfless public servant and a good politician this part (North) ever have and admire him as a role model from my late father Alhaji Garba Beti Santuraki who stays with his elder brother late Malam Umaru Beti who was Sardauna's classmate and my brother late Alh. Adamu Suleiman former Inspector General of Police who was at a time, Ahmadu Bello’s Press Secretary and read more on him in some written biographies-since then,I realized that, it cannot be possible to find anyone that can equally match the shoes wear by the late Sardauna of Sokoto premier of Northern Nigeria. Allah Ya Jikan Sir Ahmadu Bello.
BY USMAN GARBA SANTURAKI
Wrote from House No 74, Tafida str
Jimeta-Yola.
e-mail:usbaturaki
08036180958