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Opinion: Sanusi One of The Greatest Reformers- Wole Soyinka

Published

5 years ago

March 13, 2020

Editor

By Wole Soyinka

These are depressing times – stemming from different factors of course – for a large sector of the nation. Insecurity, economy in a coma, a leadership in name only, having vanished into ether, permanently AWOL in a time of serial crisis. No wonder mimic and debased forms of leadership assertiveness rush in to fill the vacuum!

The latest in the stakes of such power appropriation makes one wonder which is the more reactionary order: the so-called feudal institution, or the self-vaunting modernised governance, whose apex can bring the feudal to heel quite arbitrarily, without check and without seeming consequence. To rub pepper in the wound, the protagonist of that “progressive” order enjoys near-absolute immunity, thus, even when it has disgraced its status and violated its oath of office, caught literally with its pants down in open defecation, it can still pretend to act in the interest of progress, modernity and public well being. Such are the ironies raised by the purported dethronement of the Emir of Kano, Muhammed Sanusi, with one stroke of a pen!

I was participant, albeit on the sidelines, when a similar scenario began to unfold in my own state, Ogun some years ago. The then governor, on account of an imagined slight by one of the monarchs in his domain, was actually poised – not virtually but physically – to sign the dethronement and banishment order on that traditional ruler. His office was invaded by some of the panicked chiefs and stalwarts of Ogun State who rushed to ward off the impending order. One of them stopped at my home after the pacification session to narrate what had transpired, and how some of them had actually gone on their knees to plead with that governor to stay action. I was furious. I knew every detail of that affair, had listened to a recording of the speech that was supposed to have given this mighty offence. It was pure piffle!

“Why did you people plead with him? Don’t you realise you were making him feel a god? You should have let him carry on, then we would see what a cataclysm he had launched on the State!”

The man, an independent businessman of absolute integrity, and one of that governor’s intimate circle, smiled and said, “No, we couldn’t do that. We are his friends. We were pleading with him to save him from himself.”

What a pity Ganduje lacked friends who could have saved him from himself! Insofar as one can acknowledge certain valued elements in traditional institutions, the man he thinks he has humiliated has demonstrated that he is one of the greatest reformers even of the feudal order. That is beyond question, a position publicly manifested in both act and pronouncements. By contrast, Ganduje’s conduct, apart from the innate travesty of justice in this recent move, is on a par with the repudiated colonial order, one that out-feudalised feudalism itself, and is synonymous with authoritarianism of the crudest temper. The record shows, in this particular instance, that it is one that embodies modernised cronyism and alienated pomp and power – never mind the cosmetic gestures such as almajiri reformation. It has proved one of the worst examples of a system that enables even the least deserving to exercise arbitrary, unmerited authority that beggars even the despotism of the most feudalistic traditional arrangements.

Emir Sanusi was a one-man EFCC sanitisation squad in the banking system, taking on the powerful corrupters of that institution. Unblinking, he trod on the interests of powerful beneficiaries of a worm-infested sector and, in the process, created permanent enemies. By contrast, confidence in immunity has catapulted his tormentor to the ranks of the most notorious public faces of the disorder that Sanusi strove to eradicate. Obviously, vengeance lay in wait, and he was not unaware of it. The signs were omnipresent and Sanusi acknowledged their imminence. I know this for a fact. Apart from exchanges of some mutual associates – we held, not so long ago, a phone conversation during his visit to London, just after the shrinking of his domain signaled the commencement of a systematic attrition of his status. I assured him I would shortly fulfill my long-standing promise to pay him a visit. He sounded very much aware of the impending fall of the axe of vengefulness and power primitivism. I can testify that he remained totally unfazed.

Most important of all, and most pertinently for the nation, Sanusi was one of the early warning voices against religious extremism whose bitter fruits the nation is currently reaping. Those who wish to understand how deeply he had anticipated and explored the potential consequences of this menace should refer to his novelette, The Adulteress’ Diary, a work that exposes and satirises the hypocrisy of fundamentalist Islamic clericalism from the inside, that is, from the authoritative point of view of an Islamic scholar. This work did not endear him to hard core fundamentalist purveyors of social division, but even those opponents would have been wise to pay heed to his exposition, and its implicit warning. Then perhaps even if Boko Haram still remained inevitable, the nation would have been much better prepared for its onslaught, and those of allied malignancies like ISWAP.

Why, I am not certain, but I do have the feeling that the palace gates of the Kano emirate are not yet definitively slammed against this Islamic scholar, royal scion and seasoned economist. It is just a feeling. Closed and bared, or merely shut however, the doors of enlightened society remain wide open to Muhammad Sanusi. As for his current crowing Nemesis, a different kind of gates remain yawning to receive him when, as must, the days of governorship immunity finally come to an end. Those whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad. The list is long, there are comrades in impunity awaiting their day of reckoning. The files remain open, and the nation remains on the watch. The wheels of justice grind slowly, but sooner or later, they arrive.

Wole SOYINKA is the first Black Nobel Laureate in Literature.

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Why FCT Was Removed from Treasury Single Account – Tinubu

Published

3 days ago

March 30, 2025

Eric

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu explained on Sunday in Abuja that his administration removed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to expedite development and enhance resident participation in governance.
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The President, who received FCT residents at the Presidential Villa for Sallah homage, said the bureaucracy associated with the TSA was hampering infrastructure growth in the capital city and had to be reviewed for impact and progress.

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, led the residents during the homage.

President Tinubu highlighted that freeing the FCT from TSA restrictions has swiftly catalysed infrastructure improvements, enhanced healthcare services, and increased security measures.

“I remember the day that the FCT Minister came to meet me, and he said, please take us out of the problem of the TSA so that I can do more work and achieve more. I said show me what you are about to do, and he presented his thinking and belief.

“And everything started changing rapidly. I started seeing the opening up of the rural areas by the FCT, the resuscitation of abandoned projects, and the completion of the Vice President’s official residence that was abandoned for years. The FCT rehabilitated health care centres, upgraded facilities for school children, and provided furniture.

President Tinubu thanked the FCT Minister for proving that liberation from the bureaucracy was necessary and for restructuring the FCT public service so that civil servants could aspire to higher positions and provide leadership.

“We wouldn’t have been able to open our mouths to celebrate if not because of the progressive ideas you brought to FCT. We can now celebrate the innovative ideas brought to the FCT,” President Tinubu said.

President Tinubu encouraged FCT residents and other Nigerians to look beyond ethnic and religious colourations in their leadership choices and focus more on results.

“Today, we live in peace, and security is improving. Hunger is coming down. Food prices are lowering. We can go to the market and do business. And our diversity and belief in ourselves are becoming stronger.

“We are not looking for magic. We are looking for results. We are looking for comfort. We are praying for good health. We are looking for someone who cares,” the President noted.

“The job is not just about Wike or me, but everyone. Nyesom Wike is proving the diversity of Nigeria. He strengthened that diversity to develop prosperity, showing us that we are all members of one family, living together in the same house, in different rooms, and under one roof,” the President said.

President Tinubu urged more tolerance, broadmindedness and patriotism.
“All I appeal for is tolerance, which has brought us this far. We have learnt some lessons from Ramadan. May the lessons continue to be with us,” he said.

The FCT minister thanked the President for hosting the residents in the State House.

“This visit marks a historic moment as it is the first time the FCT residents can extend our greetings and best wishes to you in person during this blessed period. We are genuinely delighted to be here”.

Wike pledged his loyalty to the President and committed himself to developing the capital city, assuring that the FCT would soon complete many projects.

“Despite our varied backgrounds, we are united in our unwavering support for your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.

The Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, attended the ceremony.

The FCT delegation included members of the National Assembly, judiciary, religious and traditional leaders, security chiefs and women and youth groups.

Source: State House Press Release

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Eid-El-Fitr Celebration: Tinubu, Shettima Join Nigerian Muslims in Prayers

Published

3 days ago

March 30, 2025

Eric

President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Sunday, joined others for prayers at the National Eid ground in Abuja, as Nigerian Muslims mark the Eid-El-Fitr celebrations together with millions of others around the world.

Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and some ministers also observed the prayer at the same venue.

Eid-El-Fitr, meaning the festival of breaking the fast, is a time of gratitude, charity and communal harmony.

It began with special prayers known as Eid prayers held in Mosques and open spaces. Following the prayers, families share festive meals, exchange gifts and extend warm greetings.

Eid is a time to remember those less fortunate and to strengthen the bond of brotherhood and sisterhood. A key component of Eid is Zakat al Fitr, a mandatory charitable donation intended to ensure everyone irrespective of their financial situation can participate in the joy of the celebration.

This act of giving embodies the spirit of compassion and solidarity that Ramdan emphasizes. From the elaborate feast of South Asia to the festive clothing of Nigeria and the African continent and the warm gatherings of the Middle East, Eid celebrations vary across cultures, showcasing the rich diversity of the Muslim world.

However, the underlining message of unity, gratitude and compassion remains universal.

Saudi Arabia and some other Gulf Arab states are celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday from today, but other Middle Eastern countries will not do so until Monday.

“The Supreme Court has decided that tomorrow, Sunday, March 30, 2025, is the first day of Eid al-Fitr,” the Saudi Royal Court said in a statement carried by official media.

The timing of the holiday, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon, in accordance with the Muslim lunar calendar.

The United Arab Emirates and Qatar also announced Sunday would be the first day of the holiday.

But neighbouring Oman and Jordan, as well as Shiite-majority Iran, said that Eid al-Fitr would not begin until Monday because the crescent moon had yet to be sighted. Egypt and other North African countries followed suit.

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First Lady, Buhari, Adeleke, Mba Celebrate President Tinubu at 73

Published

3 days ago

March 30, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

March 29 marked another circle for Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as he celebrated his 73rd birthday anniversary.

Across the nation, especially in Lagos and Abuja, supporters rolled out the drums to the hail the 5th president since the return of democracy in Nigeria, in 1999.

But much more than physical gathering, notable individuals explored the social media as well as private statements to honour the president, who took the helm of affairs of the nation since May 29, 2023, with goodwill messagewith goodwill messages.

The president, according to The Punch reports, received numerous well-wishes from governors and other prominent figures.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu described her husband as her “light in shining armor” in a heartfelt message stating, “I rejoice and thank God Almighty for His faithfulness in your life over the years. I celebrate your courage, strength, and resilience that have all contributed to who we both are today. May you live long in divine health, joy, peace, and prosperity.”

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke commended President Tinubu for his significant contributions to the nation’s economic and democratic development, recalling his transformative tenure as Lagos State governor and ongoing reforms at the national level. “Our dear Asiwaju and Commander-in-Chief of this federation, as you celebrate your 73rd birthday, I pray that God grants you more blessings and grace to continue succeeding in your presidential mandate while living many more years in good health and prosperity. Happy blessed birthday, Mr. President,” he stated.

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah also extended his best wishes, saying, “On behalf of the Government and the good people of Enugu State, we wish you a happy 73rd birthday. We hope for many more years of good health and joy. We pray that God orders your steps and grants you His uncommon grace as you guide our nation through these challenging times toward a prosperous future.”

Former President Muhammadu Buhari, also sent his regards through a statement by Garba Shehu.

“When we pray for our leaders, we are praying for ourselves and the nation. We owe this to ourselves and the nation,” the statement said, adding that he and his family remain indebted to President Tinubu and other party leaders for their invaluable contributions to the formation of the All Progressives Congress.

Tinubu, who declared that his aspirations for the nation, are rooted in peace amd stability, saying “My prayer is for stability, peace, and the safeguarding of our people. We work hard and pray harder. We thank God,” also kept faith with the spirit of gratitude, and attended a special prayer session at the National Mosque, where he was joined by dignitaries, including Vice President Kashim Shettima. Following the prayers, the president took time to greet several monarchs and imams present at the mosque.

Tinubu has received more knocks than kudos since his ascension of office in 2023 owing to his policies, which have impoverished Nigerians, as well as what most Nigerians term as the muffling of other arms of government to dance to the tune of the executive, with special mention of the judiciary and the legislature.

We join other Nigerians to wish Mr. President a happy birthday.