Speech by HE Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as chairman of the 2021 Sardauna Memorial Lecture held on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at the Arewa House, Kaduna.

It is an honour to chair an auspicious occasion like this.

It’s a rare opportunity to stand in this hallowed place where Sir Ahmadu Bello, the late Sardauna of Sokoto, lived. The Sardauna was more than just the premier of the Northern region, he stood among the founding fathers of our great country.

The nation-building contributions made by Sir Ahmadu Bello can never be overstated. More importantly, they should never be forgotten. He laboured tirelessly and with great tact and intelligence. Working together with other shining lights such as the late sage Papa Obafemi Awolowo and the esteemed Nnamdi Azikiwe, this great Sardauna of Sokoto helped establish Nigeria as one indivisible and independent nation. He was one of the chief architects and builders laying the foundation for the nation destined to be the leader of Africa and a model for the black race. It is upon the foundation laid by these extraordinary men that we must continue to build so that Nigeria may achieve its manifest destiny and realise the promise of a greatness too long deferred.

Let me at this point commend the organizers of this auspicious event for their consistency and perseverance in holding this lecture series which, over the years, has served as a platform to discuss issues of serious national importance. For a nation to know where it’s going, it must first know from where it comes.

The topic; Reduction of the Cost of Governance for Inclusive Growth and Youth Development in Northern Nigeria In a Post-COVID-19 era, is more than timely, particularly given the serious security challenges that have become one of the primary causes of despair and frustration among all Nigerians, young and old alike. That frustration and despair are, in large part, caused by chronic poverty and the breakdown in social institutions wrought by such longstanding suffering.