The decision by Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State to consider His Royal Highness Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (HRH SLS) as the new Emir of Kano last Sunday was indeed a bold and wise one. Against all the primitive and retrogressive odds of selecting a successor only amongst the children of the deceased Emir, Governor Kwankwaso chose competence and suitability not suitability alone. The governor seems to be well aware that given the history and might of the Kano Emirate, not just Kano people but also so many others look up to it for leadership.
And that was why to become an emir of Kano, it indeed is not enough to be a biological child of the deceased emir. It takes more than that. To become an Emir of Kano, a prince needs to be well educated and learned, well experienced and connected both locally and internationally, and most importantly, he needs to be principled and trustworthy. Kano is not a small place; it is a cosmopolitan state. Its population makes it both politically and economically strategic. The commercial capital of Nigeria, jalla Babbar Hausa, Kano remains one of the biggest and richest cities in Nigeria.
Now, apart from the qualities Kano demands from its Emir, the nation at this point in time is in dire need of true leaders generally. There is no doubt that our traditional rulers are nothing more than a failure to the people. At times of need, they failed to stand by us. They have failed to protect us from the troubles of these times. They have failed to tell power the truth simply because of greed and the desire to remain in power.
We were therefore in search of a bold kind of Emir who has the guts to tell everyone including himself the truth. And in Sanusi Lamido Sanusi lays one. It remains factual that amongst all the heirs to the Kano throne, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi the nation`s former economic czar, was the most competent. There is no need to write anything on his CV here as he needs no introduction to this world of ours.
But to those who insist, this will serve; he was at a time not far away a Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Indeed, it was for his competence that all right thinking Nigerians greeted his appointment with euphoria. As conspicuous as it is, HRH SLS has the goodwill of the people. The challenge before him therefore was to justify the confidence reposed in him.
Many a Nigerian celebrates his appointment because we expect in him a sincere and trustworthy Emir who will always tell power the bitter truth. We expect HRH SLS to use his wealth of experience and the might of his institution to rally round all Northern Emirs to stand on one stance so that at the time of need they would be there for us. The new emir it is hoped will after rallying the Northern emirs extend a hand of friendship to their Southern counterparts so as to unite this nation for peaceful existence and prosperity.
But to achieve this, HRH SLS must put in extra efforts, determination and willingness. The new Emir must stay away of politics. This is important. Given the circumstances that characterized his ascension to power, there is every tendency that in the end politicians will eventually involve him in one way or another in their activities. The PDP whose government was actually not in good terms with him, didn't support his quest for the throne.
Whilst the APC which he seem to have its sympathy appointed him an Emir though squarely on merit. HRH SLS must look beyond all this politics and move on. He should act Madiba and forgive and forget whatever happened in the past. The new Emir must carry along everyone in order to succeed. Success is what we wish the new Emir of Kano. Lafiya zaki Sanusi jikan Sanusi magajin Muhammadu Rumfa. Allah Ya ja zamanin Sarki! Long live the King!
On Twitter: @mukhtarjarmajo
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