Former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Prof. Ango Abdullahi, and political economist, Dr Usman Bugaje, have called for a return to the core values of integrity, sacrifice and visionary leadership.
They maintained that the virtues were necessary to tackle the growing challenges confronting Northern Nigeria.
The duo made the call on Saturday at the 3rd Late Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina Memorial Conference held at Arewa House, Kaduna.
The conference had the theme: “From Sacrifice to Strategy: Rekindling Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina’s Vision for a Prosperous Northern Nigeria.”
Speaking at the event, Abdullahi said the region’s current socio-economic and leadership challenges stemmed largely from the abandonment of the moral values and principles handed down by its founding leaders.
According to him, while the North has witnessed physical development over the years, it has suffered a decline in the virtues of discipline, honesty, selflessness and accountability.
“The North has lost its values. If we had preserved the values inherited from our parents and pioneer leaders, the region would not have found itself in its present situation,” he said.
Abdullahi stressed that sustainable development could only be achieved through a revival of the principles exemplified by leaders such as the late Gen. Hassan Katsina.
He urged leaders across the region to emulate the late military administrator’s commitment to integrity, service and responsible leadership.
In his keynote address, Bugaje said the North was facing multiple challenges, including insecurity, declining agricultural productivity, rising poverty, weak institutions and deteriorating social services.
According to him, the situation reflects a gradual departure from the visionary leadership and value system that characterised earlier generations of Northern leaders.
He expressed concern over the impact of insecurity on farming, commerce and livelihoods across the region.
Bugaje also questioned the quality of leadership available to address the region’s challenges, calling for renewed commitment and purposeful governance.
He urged Northern elites to move beyond lamenting the region’s problems and instead provide practical solutions capable of restoring public confidence and promoting development.
Recalling his interaction with the late Gen. Hassan Katsina, Bugaje said the former military governor encouraged intellectual independence and principled advocacy.
He described Hassan Katsina’s generation as leaders who combined modern education with discipline, modesty, respect for due process and commitment to the collective good.
According to him, reviving those values remains critical to addressing the North’s socio-economic and security challenges.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the annual memorial conference was organised to honour the legacy of the late Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina and promote dialogue on leadership, governance and the future of Northern Nigeria.