Former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, has called on political and traditional leaders in the North to adopt the late Gen. Hassan Usman-Katsina’s lifelong vision of unity and self-reliance, specifically pointing to the late general’s passion for rescuing children trapped in the almajiri system as a pathway to regional progress.
Babangida made the appeal on Tuesday in Kaduna during the second Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina Memorial Conference, organised by the New Vision Development Initiative (NEVDI).
Represented by Col. Lawal Gwadabe (rtd), a former military administrator of Niger State, Babangida said reflecting on the sacrifices of leaders like Usman-Katsina was timely, “especially as Nigeria continues to battle multiple socio-economic challenges.”
He described the late General, who served as Chief of Army Staff, as a decisive figure in preserving Nigeria’s unity and a post-retirement advocate for the rights of the underprivileged.
“He was passionate about the unity of our country because together we can be very strong and a very progressive nation — and divided we will fail,” Babangida stated. “His mantra had always been to observe good faith to, and cultivate peace with all, so that our nation can continue to grow in peace, unity and harmony.”
Earlier in his tribute, former Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Alani Akinrinade, represented by Maj. Gen. Paul Tarfa (rtd), eulogised Usman-Katsina as “a prince among soldiers and a soldier among princes,” praising his leadership during the civil war and his dedication to soldiers’ welfare.
The conference also featured sharp analyses of the region’s condition. Prof. Abubakar Mohammed, speaking on socio-economic security challenges, argued that a stable, prosperous Northern Nigeria is essential for the country’s overall growth.
He presented data suggesting that if the North’s per capita income and human development matched the South’s, Nigeria’s GDP could rise by 2–3% and the national poverty rate could drop by over 20 percentage points.
“Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Nigeria by 2030 heavily depends on progress in the North,” Mohammed said, noting that states like Sokoto and Bauchi currently rank at the bottom on nearly all SDG indicators.
Similarly, Prof. Ango Abdullahi urged Northern leaders to emulate the late General’s character and prioritise the welfare and security of the region.
In his remarks as Chairman of the NEVDI Board of Trustees, Col. Gwadabe (rtd) expressed gratitude to attendees and urged the North to “move beyond poverty and stagnation by embracing innovation and selfless leadership.”
He announced that the memorial lecture would henceforth be a bi-annual event to promote justice, unity, and national development.
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