Buhari to lead ex-leaders to mark Sardauna’s 50 yrs’ demise

Buhari to lead ex-leaders to mark Sardauna’s 50 yrs’ demise

KADUNA—President Muhammadu Buhari will lead former and present political leaders to commemorate the 50 years of the death of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna Sokoto and late Premier of the North.

Briefing newsmen in Kaduna on activities to mark the golden jubilee of the killing of Sarduna in 1966, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, SABMF, Shettima Aji Ali, said that Buhari will launch a special edition of the New Nigeria Newspaper, NNN, in which some of Sarduna’s past speeches and achievements would be highlighted.

File: The Sardauna of Sokoto and premier of Northern Nigeria Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Emir of Katsina and members of the High court of Justice of the Northern Region

Sardauna founded the NNN on January 1, 1966 and was killed two weeks later in a bloody coup that later lead to a 30-month civil war.

Said Ali: “You are aware, January 25, 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of our illustrious leader, Sir Bello. The immense contributions of Sir Bello to the development of Northern Nigeria and Nigeria at large cannot be overemphasised. Sir Bello worked assiduously to make northern Nigeria economically competitive, politically and religiously stable, peaceful and united.

“He had indeed succeeded in laying a solid foundation for the development of the region. The NNN which was established by the late Premier on January 1, 1966, is also 50 years old. It, therefore, decided to produce a special edition that will be launched at the opening ceremony of the commutation event.

“The edition will contain among others, special interviews with some prominent leaders of the North and close associates of the late Premier and flashback of historic publications by the newspaper from inception to date.

“According to the programmes of events, President Buhari will be special guest of honour and will launch the special edition of the NNN and a photo exhibition on the opening day, January 14.

“Ambassador Yusuf Sule will deliver a keynote address on the topic, “North: 50 years after Sir Ahmadu Bello”, while Justice Mamman Nasir, will chair the occasion.