Muhammad Sanusi II, emir of Kano,
says he earned his stars in every competitive environment.
In an interview with Financial
Times, the outspoken monarch recalled his days as a banker and how he was rated
the best central bank governor four times.
In June 2009, the late President
Musa Yar’Adua appointed Sanusi for a five-year term but ex-President Goodluck
Jonathan suspended him in February 2014 after the monarch raised alarm on an
alleged $20 billion fraud in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
(NNPC).
Speaking on his ascension to the
throne, Sanusi said: “It was what I’ve always wanted to be. As a Muslim, we
believe that God decides who will be emir, then He creates a situation such
that circumstances conspire to lead to that predetermined result.
“It’s not for me to say but the
kingmakers look at a number of qualities. I spent my life as a successful
banker. I taught economics at the university. I worked at an investment bank.
“I was chief risk officer in the
two largest banks in the country. I was the CEO of the oldest and largest
commercial bank in Nigeria, First Bank. I was the best central bank governor
four years out of five. Why would I feel guilty about inheriting privilege? I
have earned my stars in every competitive environment.
“I’m the 57th king, but I’m the
14th Fulani emir and the 13th in my line. I grew up here. My father was a crown
prince but he was a career diplomat, so I was brought up by a guardian. I have
the benefit of having been in and out of this culture, knowing all the
traditions of the palace, but also mixing in a more heterogeneous setting.
“It’s important for us to retain
our history, to retain our roots. A lot of my writings are progressive. I’ve
been involved in such debates as why it is OK to cut off the hand of a man who
stole a goat but allow a governor or a minister who stole millions to get away
with it.”
The Banker, published by the
Financial Times, named Sanusi the global Central Bank Governor of the Year, as
well as for Central Bank Governor of the Year for Africa in 2011.
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