By Tunde Ojudun
The Kanwan Katsina, District Head of Ketare, Alhaji Usman Bello Kankara mni, has paid glowing tribute to the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, and Premier of the defunct Northern Nigeria.
Speaking as Royal Father at the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Katsina State Council, Alhaji Usman Bello described the Sardauna as a visionary leader whose legacy continues to shape governance and public service in Nigeria, even 60 years after his assassination during the 1966 military coup in Kaduna.
He urged leaders at all levels to build upon the Sardauna’s foundation for national development, noting that his foresight led to the establishment of enduring institutions such as Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where the Kanwan Katsina himself graduated in 1981.
Alhaji Usman Bello commended the NUJ Katsina Council for organizing the memorial lecture and encouraged them to sustain the tradition annually.
Guest speaker Dr. Bala Abdullahi Mohamed of Bayero University Kano highlighted Sir Ahmadu Bello’s success in uniting diverse ethnic groups in the Northern Region and implementing projects that advanced socio-economic growth.
The event also featured the presentation of an award of honour to Alhaji Usman Bello Kankara, Patron of NUJ Katsina State Council, in recognition of his consistent support for the union’s activities.
Among the dignitaries present was the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe, who delivered a keynote address extolling the virtues of the late premier.
In a related development, Alhaji Usman Bello congratulated the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Tukur Hassan Dan Ali, on his promotion to Permanent Secretary in the Katsina State Civil Service, describing the appointment as well-deserved and urging him to work diligently for the progress of the state.