Tahir Ibrhim Tahir
Before a thorough mourning of the loss of the Emir of Gombe, comes the celebration of a new Emir, yet again, before an adequate condolence of the death of the Emir of Gwoza and the demise of the Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero; Curist of the northern emirates’; a new Emir is born’ and perhaps a kick start of the re-invention and modernisation of the northern emirate system is put in motion.
Sunusi Lamido Sunusi needs little introduction perhaps only in the traditional/emirate climes but certainly not in academic/public circles; a very historic time as CBN governor and the consequent departure from his office with the proceeding adventures with the executive over public accounts or lack of therein, had more than catapulted Sanusi to prominence, relevance and endearment mostly in today’s Nigeria, a country rich with political drama as 2015 steadily approaches us.
The loss of Ado Dan Bayero would have ordinarily hall marked a point of collapse or depreciation of half a century’s work; building a dynasty or a redefinition of that dynasty (Kano/northern Nigeria) as the largest most enviable of what is left of the Sokoto Caliphate and the Usmaniyya/Tijjaniyya movement spanning over a period of over 300 years of history and development. Even though the Kano Emirate was not high up in the hierarchy of the Sokoto Empire; Ado’s footprints were so majestic, charismatic, charming and bedazzling that today; Kano towers almost above all emirates, probably even rivalling the Sokoto emirate itself.
Sanusi’s laurels (worldwide recognitions as a banker), perspectives and antecedents do present an overwhelming case that; 1. Sanusi is the preferred choice and 2. He is a square peg that will definitely key in with the Ado achievements and meritorious service as Emir and build upon or even improve on the heights and standards that Ado has set for any Emir to come.
Luckily for Northern Nigeria and Kano, it is A SunusiLamidoSanusi whose strides through a life of meritorious service as an economist and a banker and then eventually as a public servant leaves the imagination in no doubt that Kano has made perhaps one of the biggest and best bargains of our time; having SanusiLamidoSanusi as the SAN Kano.
Nigerians will miss him in CBN, the legislature will immortalise him maybe, and the federal government will perhaps be glad that Sanusi is clad in traditional regalia as Emir, limited by the ‘Sarkiship’ and taken him out of their equation that will never balance as long as he is available to public discourse and political machinations.
I have written severally about Sanusi and the perceived intimidation of his person in his last few days as CBN Governor and I was had the opportunity of paying him a visit to his office and I was granted a 40 minutes chat with him where I learned first hand; his passion and commitment to service and of course his challenges like in any other job.
If he was interested in politics? “He said it was not his place and not his domain”. I understood that Kano was his passion and the emirate was his calling and he would give up anything to succeed his grandfather if he had the opportunity.
My believe is that his heart has always been in the emirate and I guess all his works and days in offices and other endeavours have always been a struggle towards achieving his life long ambition; becoming the Emir (SAN) of Kano. Many believe that he would have been a vibrant addition to our political office holders or stock of the ‘change Nigeria’ politicians in the like of Amaechi and Elrufai.
He who wears the shoe knows where it pinches the most and Sanusi would be right over all of us who wanted him to go into politics and help in rebuilding Nigeria. I am sure he is satisfied he has done his bit and is happy to make room for others and for the younger generation.
It is an honor and office well deserved and we look forward to another ‘Giant’ in the history and making of Kano. Long Live ‘lamidon kano’, and may Allah rest and bless the soul of the departed Ado Mai hawan panisau ki gudu!