Bauchi Governor Urges Nigerian Leaders to Emulate Sir Abubakar Tafawa Ɓalewa’s Legacy of Peace, Unity, and National Service
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has called on leaders across Nigeria to draw inspiration from the leadership virtues and enduring legacy of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Ɓalewa, the country’s first and only Prime Minister.
The governor made this appeal during the First Memorial Lecture in honour of the late national icon, themed: "Peace as an Inspiration for National Development: The Legacies of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Ɓalewa," held at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Ɓalewa Centre for Peace and Security Studies, Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), Bauchi.
Represented by Barr. Hussaini Saraki, Governor Mohammed described Ɓalewa as a timeless symbol of integrity, nation-building, and selfless service, noting that his leadership style remains relevant in today’s Nigeria.
“Sir Abubakar Tafawa Ɓalewa remains an enduring symbol of humanity, integrity, and visionary leadership. His legacies as a peacemaker, consensus builder, and servant-leader continue to offer a moral compass in these times of national and global uncertainty,” the governor stated.
He further stressed that Ɓalewa embodied the very best of Nigerian leadership—placing nationhood above self, dialogue over conflict, and service above gain.
Governor Bala Mohammed urged current and future leaders to embrace the values of unity, justice, peace, and progress, which Ɓalewa lived and died for, describing them as critical pillars for meaningful national development.
Other Speakers Echo the Call
Also speaking at the event, the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Abubakar Y. Suleiman, paid glowing tribute to Ɓalewa’s contributions to Nigeria’s independence and Africa’s liberation movements.
He described the late Prime Minister as a selfless leader who sacrificed his time, intellect, and even life for the cause of peace and freedom.
The Speaker proposed that the memorial lecture be institutionalized as an annual event, to continually remind Nigerian leaders of Ɓalewa’s exemplary life and leadership model.
In his keynote address, Major General Dr. Sani Usman Kuka Sheƙa (Rtd) highlighted Ɓalewa’s deep commitment to peace through dialogue and diplomacy. He emphasized that revisiting such approaches could help resolve today’s conflicts and restore harmony across Nigeria.
“Peace and national integration can only be sustained through mediation, dialogue, and diplomacy,” Dr. Sheƙa said, adding that addressing economic inequality, political instability, and youth restiveness is vital for lasting peace.
Appreciation and Reflections
The Vice Chancellor of SAZU, Prof. Fatimah Tahir, expressed appreciation to Governor Bala Mohammed for his unwavering support to the university, particularly in creating an environment conducive for academic excellence and innovation.
Also speaking on behalf of the Tafawa Ɓalewa family, Hajiya Hauwa Abubakar Tafawa Ɓalewa thanked Almighty Allah for blessing them with a father whose legacy far outweighs material wealth.
“Though our father left behind no riches, he gave us the most valuable inheritance—knowledge, wisdom, and compassion to serve humanity,” she noted.
The event concluded with a collective resolve to uphold and promote Sir Abubakar Tafawa Ɓalewa’s ideals of peace, unity, dialogue, and national development, as guiding lights for present and future leadership in Nigeria.