Former Governor of Benue state, Gabriel Torwua Suswam on Saturday in Kaduna said the late Premier of the defunct Northern Region, and Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello was not a tribalised leader and focused leader.
The former governor who also praised the Premier for promoting a united Nigeria during his days, described him as a selfless leader who gave all his time and resources to ensure unity, progress and development of all northerners.
Suswam, who was a two time governor of Benue state, spoke to journalists after the public lecture of 50th years after Sir Ahmadu Bello with topic: Sir Ahmadu Bello, The Man, His Vision and Imperatives of Good Governance, held at Arewa House Banquet Hall on Saturday, said “talking about a leader that was not tribalised, Sardauna will always come to mind and am here because he was a true Nigeria”
He said it was these good leadership virtues of the late Sardauna that created the opportunity for some and other non Hausas in the north to acquire sound education, secure good employment and other privileges.
“I remember those that benefitted from the cheap and quality education provided by Sardauna. He was obviously a true and detribalised leader,” he stated.
According to him, under Sardauna, government was for all those in the north irrespective of tribe, religion and social status.
He, however, urged the present crop of northern leaders to not only talk about Sardauna’s legacies but also emulate his good leadership quality and kind nature.
Gabriel Torwua Suswam is a Nigerian politician who became governor of Benue State in May 2007 until 29 May 2015. He ran again successfully in the 26 April 2011 elections on the PDP platform
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