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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Former military president, Gen Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd) has called on Nigerian leaders, particularly Northern leaders, to emulate the late Gen Hassan Usman Katsina, describing him as “a great icon of Northern Nigeria’s development”.
Gen Katsina, who passed away in 1995 at the age of 62, played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s history, serving as Military Governor of Northern Nigeria, Chief of Army Staff, and Deputy Chief of Staff Supreme Headquarters. Babangida spoke in Kaduna yesterday at his 2nd Memorial Conference organized by New Vision Development Initiative (NEVDI) headed by Col. Lawan Gwadabe (Rtd).
Paying a glowing tribute to the late Gen Katsina, through Col. Gwadabe, Babangida described him as “a great icon of Northern Nigeria’s development whose humility, patriotism and lifelong pursuit of peace remain instructive for today’s leaders”.
The former military President commended the board and organizers for sustaining the forum that highlights the sacrifices of past leaders at a time Nigeria faces what he called “numerous development challenges.”
According to him, Katsina’s philosophy and example should “rekindle our nostalgia for the development of Arewa” and galvanize current leaders to confront the socio-economic obstacles holding the region back. He described the late Katsina as a model of humility and integrity, noting that his dignified service and mentorship left a legacy that still guides many of his contemporaries.
“Despite being born into royalty; grandson and son of Emirs, General Katsina remained humble, serene and service-driven”, Babangida added, noting that his passing 30 years ago was a profound loss to the nation. He urged participants at the conference to draw inspiration from his values.
Gen Akinrinade who was represented by one time Commandant, Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), Major General Paul Tarfa (Rtd), described Gen Katsina as a “prince among soldiers and a soldier among princes”, citing his exemplary leadership during Nigeria’s most trying times.
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“His leadership during the civil war, where he oversaw the expansion of the armed forces and ensured timely payment of soldiers’ entitlements, was particularly notable. His post-war efforts to resettle and rehabilitate soldiers have also been praised.
“A Sandhurst-trained officer, General Katsina’s integrity, patriotism, and commitment to Nigeria’s unity have inspired generations. His legacy serves as a shining example of selfless service to the nation,” Akinrinade stated.
The Guest Speaker, Prof. Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, expressed worry about insecurity in the North, threatening the nation’s stability.
According to Prof. Siddique, Northern region is plagued by extreme poverty, with 65 percent of Nigeria’s multidimensional poor population residing in the region. He said: “The implications for Northern Nigeria are profound, with the region’s economic stagnation and human capital crisis undermining national growth and development. As Nigeria’s population continues to grow, the need for effective solutions to these challenges becomes increasingly urgent
“The statistics are stark; 10 million Nigerian children are out of school, with 60% of them in northern states; youth unemployment exceeds 50% in some areas; and the region faces severe environmental stress, with 350,000 hectares of land lost to desertification annually.
“The security situation is equally alarming, with the Boko Haram insurgency claiming over 35,000 lives and displacing 2.5 million people since 2009. Banditry and kidnappings have also become rampant, with hundreds of villages raided and thousands of people abducted.”
He emphasized that, “the challenges are interconnected, fueling a poverty-insecurity trap that threatens national stability.”
He called for urgent action to address the root causes of the crisis, including governance and institutional reforms, security sector reform, educational transformation, and economic diversification.
