MARYAM Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Kano, has organized a special memorial program in honor of former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, who was assassinated on 13th February, 1976.
The Program which was held at the School of Social and Management Sciences on Monday, 13th February, 2023, was attended by Students and staff members.
In his welcome address, the Vice President Campus Life, Dr. Hamza Garba said the program, which was the first of its kind, was organized to recognize and remind the people, particularly students of the University, the true virtues of leadership that the late Mohammed stood for.
He noted that the students and the youth in general stand to gain a lot on the style of his good leadership and patriotism when he was the Head of State.
Dr. Garba also said the idea behind the program was to raise awareness, celebrate and promote the ideals which the late Head of State, General Mohammed stood and died for.
During the event, memorial presentations were made by students in honor of the fallen hero including his brief biography which was presented by Hafsat Salisu.
Similarly, presentations were also made on his achievements, memorable speech and quotations, details on how he was assassinated, Coup Broadcast after his assissation by Lt.-Col. Bukar Suka Dimka as well as poetry presentation.
In his closing remarks, the Director, Institute of Africa Higher Education Research and Innovation (IAHERI), Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Haruna commended the organizers for reminding students and other staff members the legacies of the late Head of State.
“The various presentations must have rekindled the memories of this great man, Late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, who sacrificed his life for the country”, he said.
According to him, it was the late General Mohammed who introduced or started the slogan “Fellow Nigerians” which connotes “Comradeship”.
Prof. Sadiq Haruna, who, spoke at length on late Mohammed’s leadership qualities, said he was true leader of Nigeria as he was the first Head of State to announce the takeover of State Universities by the Federal Government because of the concern he had for education.
“He is one of the celebrated leaders in the country who died at the youthful age of 37. We hope our leaders will emulate him”, he added.
He then called on the University management to continue to organize a similar program with a view to reminding future generations some of the leadership qualities of our fallen heroes.
He listed some of the achievements of the late head of state like the creation of additional seven states from (12-19) and conception of the proposal for the movement of the Federal Capital from Lagos to Abuja, among several others.
Among other top management staff that graced the occasion include Engr. Bashir Mohammed Garba, Ag. Dean School of Nursing Sciences; Dr. Umar Lawal Bello, the University Visiting Librarian; Dr. Ukashatu Haruna Musa and Chair, Physiotherapy, Dr. Naziru Bashir Mukhtar, among others.