Memorial Lecture: LEADERS SHOWER ENCOMIUMS ON ALI AKILU

From Balarabe Junaidu Nuhu, Kaduna.

The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmad has identified endemic corruption as major obstacle to Nigeria’s progress.

He was speaking at the second Ali Akilu Memorial Lecture and meeting of the Northern Interest Group under the auspices of the Arewa House and Arewa Consultative Forum ACF, held in Kaduna.

According to him the high rise in corruption in the country was alarming, hence the pressing need for attitudinal change among the leaders, as no nation can attain greatness with such problem as it hallmark.

Alhaji Yayale Ahmad opined that for the current democratic system in Nigeria to achieve success, leaders must rule with the fear of Almighty Allah and passion for patriotism.

He decried that the nation would remain stagnated in terms of development so long its leaders were attached to the path of corruption and total disregard to the law of the land.

The Ajiyan Katagum therefore stressed the importance of check and balances in governance and leadership, as the way forward.

Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmad also suggested that corrupt public officials should be punished, to serve as deterrent to others wishing to engage in such unholy and unpatriotic act.

The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation further expressed worry with the rate at which some Northern leaders joined the bandwagon vof corruption activities with utmost disregard to Allah’s punishment on earth and in the Hereafter.

The Emir of Zazzau Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, who represented the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar the III described the lecture on Ali Akilu as apt inview of his tremendous contributions to the development of the Northern region, and the office he occupied while alive.

He pointed out that Usman Danfodio and his disciples founded the Islamic Caliphate based on truth, piety and fear of Almighty Allah, hence the need for our leaders to emulate such gesture to ginger societal growth and development.

The Sultan of Sokoto identified the former Secretary to the Government of Northern region, Ali Akilu as a committed and astute administrator who during his life time positively contributed to the unity and progress of his people.

In a remark the Vice Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University ABU Professor Kabiru Bala, through the Vice Chancellor Administration, Professor Ibrahim, identified Ali Akilu as a committed leader and firm believer of continued corporate existence of Nigeria as an indivisible entity.

He said the lecture delivered by Yayale Ahmad was full of ideas on the way forward for the unity of Northern region.

The ABU Vice Chancellor urged the people of the region to emulate the exemplary leadership qualities of Ali Akilu to uplift the North.

Also speaking, the National Executive Council Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum ACF, Mr Mike Mamman Osuman SAN, who restated the need for unity, peace and continued corporate existence of Nigeria, advised the Northerners to steer clear of any act or attempt that could lead to the polarisation of the nation.