The Barewa Old Boys Association (BOBA) has renewed calls for the revival of Nigeria’s founding values of discipline, integrity, and courage in leadership, drawing inspiration from the enduring legacy of former Head of State, Murtala Muhammed.
The call was made at the launch of the book Murtala Muhammed: Unveiling the Ancestral Roots of a Nigerian General, where the President of BOBA was represented by Sarkin Shanun Kano, HRH Shehu Mohammad, FCA, FCCA, who described the occasion as “both an institutional privilege and a national obligation to celebrate a life of patriotic service.”
Speaking on behalf of the Association, the BOBA President noted that, fifty years after his death, Murtala Muhammed’s name still resonates with urgency, courage, and deep patriotism.
“Fifty years after his passing, Murtala’s name still carries the electricity of urgency, courage, and patriotism. Before he commanded troops, he commanded respect among his peers. Before he led the nation, he learned to lead himself,” he said.
The Association traced the foundation of the late General’s leadership to his formative years at Barewa College, where he was admitted in 1952.
The college’s strict discipline and leadership-oriented culture were described as crucial in shaping his character, instilling values of responsibility, courage, and excellence that later defined his national service.
According to the BOBA President, three enduring lessons stand out from Murtala Muhammed’s life: that leadership begins early, discipline is the architecture of greatness, and courage is a moral decision before it becomes a public act.
He reminded Nigerians that Murtala Muhammed’s famous declarations: “Nigeria will not tolerate indiscipline” and “Africa has come of age,” were reflections of convictions formed long before he assumed national power.
“The story of Murtala Muhammed is not only a military story; it is an educational story. It proves that institutions matter and that the character we build in youth determines the destiny we reach in adulthood,” he added.
In the press release authored by Stephen Ogboli, BOBA reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening schools and mentoring young Nigerians in values-based leadership, describing such efforts as “the truest memorial to the Murtala Muhammed legacy.”
The Association further urged public officials and institutions to restore discipline, integrity, and urgency in national service, noting that Murtala Muhammed’s brief tenure in office remains a benchmark for courageous, people-centred governance.
The solemn event attracted scholars, government officials, military representatives, and members of the Barewa community, and concluded with prayers for the late leader, asking Allah to grant General Murtala Ramat Muhammed eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus.
