Kashim Shettima has attributed the crises of insecurity and banditry in the Northern region to corrupt governance.
He made this assertion during the 10th Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation lecture and award ceremony held in Maiduguri on Saturday, hosted by Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum.
Speaking at the event, Shettima, represented by his special adviser on political affairs, Hakeem-Baba Ahmed, emphasized that Sardauna’s principles of accountability, fairness, and probity had been disregarded by contemporary leaders.
He identified corruption by leaders as one of the root causes of insecurity, saying, “The leader cannot engage in corruption if he wants to stand above the common thief, the bandit and the kidnapper.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum attributed the country’s struggles to corruption and urged leaders to prioritize good governance.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, urged policymakers to confront issues of abuse of power and insecurity.
The enduring legacy of Sardauna, according to Muhammad-Bande, lies in the values of teamwork, resilience, and commitment to advancing education, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, emphasized that good governance is essential to addressing regional and national insecurity.
The foundation honored Emeritus Professor Umaru Shehu, Aisha Muhammed Nahuce, Professor Deborah Eniho, and Adams David Baiki among others.
The 11th Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture will be held in Bauchi State in 2025.