Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum, Ango Abdullahi, and political economist Dr. Usman Bugaje have attributed Northern Nigeria’s growing insecurity, poverty and underdevelopment to the decline of the values and leadership principles that once defined the region.
They made the remarks on Saturday at the third Late Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina Memorial Conference held at Arewa House in Kaduna.
The conference, themed “From Sacrifice to Strategy: Rekindling Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina’s Vision for a Prosperous Northern Nigeria,” focused on leadership, governance and the future of the region.
Abdullahi, a professor, lamented that the North had abandoned the discipline, integrity, patriotism and selfless service that distinguished its pioneer leaders.
He argued that while many northern cities had expanded physically, the moral foundation that once sustained the region had steadily weakened, leading to stagnation and social decline.
He urged northerners to emulate the legacy of the late General Katsina, describing him as a leader who exemplified accountability, honesty and dedication to public service.
In his keynote address, Bugaje said the region had suffered decades of economic decline, insecurity and institutional decay because it had drifted away from the visionary leadership of past generations.
He cited falling agricultural production, widespread displacement, increasing poverty and the deterioration of education and healthcare as evidence of the region’s challenges.
Bugaje also criticised sections of the northern elite for repeatedly highlighting the region’s problems without proposing practical solutions.
He called for a return to values such as discipline, justice, modesty, respect for due process and commitment to community development.
The annual memorial conference was organised to honour the legacy of the late Katsina and to stimulate discussions on strategies for rebuilding northern Nigeria through responsible leadership and good governance.
