Sardauna Memorial Lecture: Gov. Namadi urges collective action to secure Northern Nigeria
Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa, has called for renewed collective action, stronger regional cooperation, and a recommitment to good governance as critical steps toward securing a prosperous and stable future for the North.
The governor said this on Tuesday while delivering the keynote address as chief host of the 14th Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture on Leadership and Good Governance, held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Dutse.
Malam Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, stated this in a statement on Tuesday.
Gumel quoted Namadi as describing the memorial lecture as a timely platform for reflection on leadership and governance, saying that the life and legacy of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, continue to offer enduring lessons on unity and inclusive development.
“For the government and people of Jigawa State, it is both an honour and a privilege to host this distinguished gathering—a platform dedicated to commemorating the remarkable life, times, exemplary leadership, and enduring legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello,” the governor said.
He observed that while Northern Nigeria was richly endowed with human and natural resources, the region had continued to face serious challenges, including insecurity, youth unemployment, low human development indicators, and social dislocation, stressing that these challenges demanded coordinated and sustained responses.
Namadi said that meaningful progress can only be achieved when governments, institutions, and communities work together with a shared sense of purpose.
“It is either that we effectively continue to organise or we continue to painfully agonise. As we sustain the current momentum of progress in getting organized, we are safeguarding the prosperity of the current and future generations,” he said.
Namadi lauded the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation for its consistent efforts in preserving the ideals of the Sardauna through leadership engagements, education-focused programmes, and annual lectures that stimulate policy dialogue across the region.
He also acknowledged ongoing reforms within the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) under the leadership of Gov. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, stating that initiatives such as the establishment of a regional Security Trust Fund and the strengthening of the Forum’s institutional framework reflect a collective resolve to confront insecurity and drive socioeconomic development.
Namadi congratulated the recipients of the 2026 Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Awards, describing them as worthy exemplars of leadership, integrity, and service, while expressing appreciation to all dignitaries for honouring the occasion with their presence.
Earlier, Yahaya, who chaired the occasion, highlighted the urgency of translating discussions on education and governance into concrete action, particularly in addressing the crisis of out-of-school children and improving access to quality basic education in Northern Nigeria.
The event featured a memorial lecture delivered by Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai, former Minister of Education, who spoke on the theme of equitable access to quality basic education as a foundation for human capital development and regional progress.
Sardauna Memorial Lecture: Gov. Namadi urges collective action to secure Northern Nigeria
