By NOAH EBIJE, Kaduna

Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai has said that 60 years after the death of first Premier of Northern Nigeria and Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the region is yet to have quality leaders.

Speaking on Saturday as the Chief Host of the 7th annual lecture on Leadership and Good Governance, tagged “COVID-19: Way Forward for Northern Nigeria Economy”, organised by Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, governor El-rufai noted that Ahmadu Bello was the greatest leader North ever had.

However, economic experts at the event are expected to proffer solutions to poor economic status of the North in line with the theme of the event.

According to El-rufai, “Ahmadu Bello was the greatest leader north ever had. Almost 60 years after his death his name still stands out.

“We must improve the quality of our leaders in the North. We must produce leaders that care for the People. I don’t mean political leaders alone, also leaders in public service, in the military, in the traditional institutions and the religion. We need quality leaders, not quantity leaders in the North.

“Nigeria population will be about 500 million by 2050. We must provide jobs for the population especially in the North”.

The governor however went on memory lane on the effect of COVID-19 pandemic when it broke out early last year, saying that he contracted the virus through a fellow governor whom he said he would not mention his name.

“A governor infected me with COVID-19 virud and I brought it to Kaduna. I was locked up for 26 days. My wives ran away from me.

“50 thousands people in Kaduna would have died of COVID-19 last year, but for the fact that Kaduna State was the first to lock down.

“I am happy to say that because of COVID-19, we have been able to put in place infections disease wards in our hospitals.

“People travel around the world so there may be COVID- 25 or 30. With what is happening in India, the situation is scaring. But God has been very kind to us”. El-rufai said. (Saturday Sun)

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