BORNO STATE TO HOST 10TH AHMADU BELLO MEMORIAL LECTURE 26-01-24
By Sadiq Aminu Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governors of the nineteen northern states and intellectuals from the region would converge on Maiduguri, the Borno state capital on Saturday for the 2024 sir Ahmadu Bello memorial lecture.
The lecture which is tenth in the series, has as its theme; creating pathway for peace, tackling banditry and insurgency through good governance for sustainable development.
At a media briefing in Maiduguri, chairman organising committee, who is also the state Head of Service, Malam Fannami said annual lecture seek to promote intellectual discourse, reflect on critical issues with a view to addressing contemporary challenges facing the region and the nation at large.
He announced that Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and one- time President of the United Nations General Assembly, Professor Tijani Bande will deliver a lecture on the theme as the guest speaker.
Malam Fannami explained that hosting the event in Borno, which has been the epicentre of Boko Haram insurgency, underscore the importance of tackling the conflict and show solidarity with the people of the state.
“One of the unique features of the lecture is its rotation among Northern states, is aimed at promoting inclusivity and ensuring that different states within the region have opportunity to host and partake in this important event. It also serves to showcase the cultural and ethnic diversity of the Northern states ” Fannami said.
Director General Sir Ahmadu Bello memorial foundation, Dr. Abubakar Umar said the Foundation was set up in 2009 and currently providing scholarship to six hundred indigent students in different public universities and polytechnics across the country.
He added that since 2012 three hundred beneficiaries of the scheme have so far graduated from different tertiary institutions.
Dr Umar expressed confidence that the annual lecture will rekindle the consciousness of the upcoming generation to emulate the lifestyle of the late Premier of the defunct Northern region for the progress and development of the country.