BOBA  Honors Gen. Murtala Muhammed, Calls for Return to Discipline in Leadership

The Barewa Old Boys Association (BOBA) has emphasized the importance of reinstating the founding values of discipline, integrity, and courage in Nigerian leadership, citing the enduring legacy of the late General Murtala Muhammed as an inspirational example.

In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, Mr. Stephen Ogboli, the association’s public relations officer, announced the call for a return to these values. The statement came following the launch of the book, ‘Murtala Muhammed: Unveiling the Ancestral Roots of a Nigerian General’, which took place in the capital.

At the book launch, BOBA president HRH Shehu Mohammed (Sarkin Shanun Kano FCA, FCCA) underscored the significance of the event as a national responsibility to honor a life dedicated to patriotic service. Reflecting on the impact of Murtala’s leadership, he noted that even fifty years after his death, Murtala’s name remains synonymous with urgency, courage, and patriotism. “Before commanding troops, he commanded respect; before leading the nation, he led himself,” the president remarked.

The association highlighted that Murtala Muhammed’s leadership principles were rooted in his early education at Barewa College, where he was enrolled in 1952. Known for its strict discipline and commitment to fostering leadership, the school served as the training ground for the qualities that would define Murtala’s military and political career, including responsibility, courage, and excellence.

During the event, the BOBA president identified three key lessons from Murtala’s life: leadership starts early, discipline is essential to greatness, and courage is a moral choice before becoming a public act. He reminded attendees of Murtala’s famous proclamations: “Nigeria will not tolerate indiscipline” and “Africa has come of age,” emphasizing that these convictions were instilled in him long before he ascended to power.

“General Murtala’s story is not just a military one; it is also an educational story. It shows the importance of institutions and the character we build in youth, which determines the destinies we reach in adulthood,” the president added.

The BOBA reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening schools and mentoring young Nigerians to uphold values-based leadership, which it described as the truest tribute to Murtala Muhammed’s legacy. The association also urged public officials and institutions to prioritize discipline and urgency in national service, reminding them that Murtala’s brief tenure remains a benchmark for courageous, people-centered governance.

The event was attended by scholars, government representatives, military officials, and members of the Barewa community, all of whom gathered to honor the lasting contributions of General Murtala Muhammed to Nigeria’s national development.