Late Hassan Katsina Lecture: IBB, Others Call for Northern Reawakening
“The effects of that mentorship is the lasting example that is still with us today. We cherish and remember him always,” he added.
“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.
“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,” he said.
Babangida stressed that General Hassan’s compassion for the poor and his pursuit of educational reform remain relevant today.
The late general, he said, “devoted all his time post-military service to be their voices and to fight for their education and emancipation,” championing the transformation of the Almajiri system so children could “benefit from a modern Quranic education with its secular counterpart.”
Babangida said despite coming from a lineage of royalty, General Hassan lived with profound modesty: “He was born great yet his disposition throughout his life was edifyingly humble, correct and with an undisturbed serenity.”
Babangida also recalled that Late General tireless worked against the Almajiri system and rising out-of-school population.
He described the late general as “an honest and comprehensive statesman whose silent judgement of time has vindicated him.”
According to the former military president, the North must reclaim the ideals General Hassan stood up for to overcome its present challenges.
These challenges were effectively brought to the fore by Professor Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, Executive Director of the Centre for Democratic Development Research and Training.
He reinforced that the convergence of socio-economic and security challenges in the region is threatening national stability, cohesion and long-term development.
In his tribute, one time Chief of Defence Staff Lt. Gen. Alani Akirinade described him as, “A distinguished military leader and patriot, who is being remembered for his selfless service to Nigeria”.
General Akinrinade who was represented by one time Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Major General Paul Tarfa (rtd), described General Katsina as a “prince among soldiers and a soldier among princes”, citing his exemplary leadership during Nigeria’s most trying times.
“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.”
In their separate remarks, elder statesmen Professor Ango Abdullahi and General I.B.M. Haruna (rtd.) urged Nigerian leaders to remember “the sacrifice made by the late General to keep Nigeria united as well as the Northern Region.”
They extolled the good qualities of the late General, urging Northern leaders to emulate his character and put the welfare and security of the North at heart.
In his remarks as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the New Vision Development Initiative (NEVDI), Gwadabe expressed profound gratitude to all the dignitaries who honoured the conference in remembrance of the late General.
He urged the North to move beyond poverty and stagnation by embracing innovation and selfless leadership.
Gwadabe also announced that NEVDI planned to make the memorial lecture a bi-annual event to promote justice, unity, and national development.
