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ABUJA, Nigeria - Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Emir of Kano and ex-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, revealed that he truly understood poverty only after becoming Emir.
He shared this insight during a goodwill message at a public lecture titled “Weaponization of poverty as a means of underdevelopment: A case study of Nigeria,” which was part of the 60th birthday celebration for former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, in Abuja on Saturday.
Sanusi remarked that many elites in Nigeria are oblivious to the realities of poverty.
He stated, “As an economist and former CBN Governor, I see the statistics, but it wasn't until I became Emir that I grasped the extent of poverty.”
He elaborated on the dire conditions in villages, noting the unhealthy water sources, inadequate housing, and lack of proper classrooms.
Sanusi questioned whether leaders truly care for the people they govern or merely enjoy their authority over them.
He highlighted the disparity in infrastructure, with urban developments catering to city dwellers while rural residents struggle to access healthcare.
He urged leaders to embody empathy towards those they serve. Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai also spoke at the event, expressing concern over the repeated election of ineffective leaders.
He commented, “We continue to choose individuals who focus on seizing power without any intention of utilizing it effectively.”
Additionally, Prof. Usman Yusuf, a former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, noted that many issues addressed in hospitals are not fundamentally medical.
He attributed Nigeria’s widespread poverty to corruption and poor governance, stressing that citizens must fulfill their civic duty by voting for the right candidates.
