Northern leaders urged to reflect on legacy of Gen. Hassan Katsina at Kaduna Memorial Conference

…Insecurity in the North poses grave threat to national stability — Prof. Siddique

By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Rtd.), has urged Nigerian leaders, particularly from the North, to emulate the leadership qualities of the late General Hassan Usman Katsina, describing him as “a great icon of Northern Nigeria’s development.”

Babangida made the call in Kaduna on Saturday at the 2nd General Hassan Katsina Memorial Conference, organised by the New Vision Development Initiative (NEVDI) and chaired by Colonel Lawan Gwadabe (Rtd.).

Represented by Gwadabe, Babangida praised Katsina’s humility, patriotism and lifelong commitment to peace, noting that his values remain relevant to tackling Nigeria’s present developmental challenges.

He said the late general, who served as Military Governor of Northern Nigeria, Chief of Army Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, was a model of integrity and a unifying figure who dedicated his life to uplifting the less privileged.

Babangida recalled Katsina’s strong campaign against the Almajiri system and his advocacy for modern, balanced education across the North.

“By the less privileged he devoted all his time, to be their voice,” he said.

He stressed that Katsina’s belief in national unity should guide current leaders, quoting him as saying: “Together we can be strong and progressive; divided we will fail.”

He added that although Katsina was born into royalty as the son and grandson of Emirs, he remained humble and service-driven throughout his life.

He prayed for the repose of his soul and urged leaders to draw inspiration from his values: “May Almighty Allah bestow upon us the wisdom to tread the great paths that immortalised him.”

Akinrinade: He Was a Prince Among Soldiers

Former Chief of Defence Staff, Lt.-Gen. Alani Akinrinade (Rtd.), in a tribute delivered by Maj.-Gen. Paul Tarfa (Rtd.), described Katsina as “a distinguished military leader and patriot whose selfless service continues to inspire generations.”

He highlighted Katsina’s leadership during the civil war, crediting him with expanding the armed forces, ensuring timely payment of troops’ entitlements and facilitating post-war rehabilitation of soldiers.

Akinrinade said few officers matched Katsina’s integrity, discipline and national commitment, calling him “a prince among soldiers and a soldier among princes.”

Prof. Siddique Warns of Deepening Crisis in the North

Guest Speaker, Prof. Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, warned that worsening insecurity in the North poses a grave threat to Nigeria’s national stability.

The Executive Director of the Centre for Democratic Development Research and Training cited alarming statistics:

65 per cent of Nigeria’s multidimensionally poor live in the North

About 10 million children are out of school, with 60 per cent in northern states

Youth unemployment exceeds 50 per cent in parts of the region

About 350,000 hectares of land are lost annually to desertification

Over 35,000 deaths and 2.5 million displaced persons linked to Boko Haram

Rising cases of banditry, village raids and kidnappings

He warned that these challenges are fuelling a “poverty–insecurity trap” that threatens national cohesion.

He called for urgent reforms in governance, security, education and economic diversification to reverse the trend.

Dignitaries

Dignitaries at the event included Maj.-Gen. IBM Haruna (Rtd.), Maj.-Gen. A.K. Ibrahim (Rtd.), Alhaji Hassan Sani Kontagora, representatives of the Chief of Air Staff, and the Emir of Zazzau, represented by the Wazirin Zazzau.

The conference ended with renewed calls for Northern leaders to return to the values exemplified by General Hassan Katsina — humility, service, courage and unity — as the region faces mounting challenges.

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