?The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has called on northern leaders and political elites to emulate the visionary leadership of the late Premier of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, by prioritising education and human capital development across the region.

?Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Speaker Abbas described the educational deficit in Northern Nigeria as a national challenge requiring urgent, practical, and measurable action.

He noted that expanding access to quality education, building safe schools, training capable teachers, and equipping young people with practical skills remain critical to the region's peace and economic prosperity.

?Highlighting the legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Speaker Abbas recalled how the late Premier strategically sited key institutions, such as Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), in Zaria due to its central location to serve the entire northern region.

Inspired by this legacy, the Speaker revealed that he has attracted seven higher institutions to Zaria, established skill acquisition centres, renovated local schools, and provided scholarships to thousands of students across the seven states of the North-West geopolitical zone.

He also noted a recent initiative distributing motorcycles to 2,200 teachers in his constituency to support their work.

?Speaker Abbas assured the Foundation of his continued support, promising to collaborate with Vice President Kashim Shettima and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin to strengthen the Foundation's initiatives.

?During the visit, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation and former Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, CON, formally named Speaker Abbas a Grand Patron of the Foundation. Dr. Aliyu commended the Speaker’s leadership, character, and developmental strides in his constituency, noting that the Foundation—established in 2009 by the Northern Governors’ Forum—remains dedicated to promoting unity, peace, and progress across the North in honor of Sir Ahmadu Bello’s enduring values.