An engagement with two Sanusi’s critics
“Yes, I said it, this Sanusi is an Elephant in a China shop”, began an obviously exasperated Lagbaja. “Why did you say that,” I cut in uninvited. “Or are you just reading that article written by Sly Edaghese” Lagbaja: “Yes, I’m just reading that article. Or are you saying the writer is wrong?” Me: “Ok. […]
“Yes, I said it, this Sanusi is an Elephant in a China shop”, began an obviously exasperated Lagbaja.
“Why did you say that,” I cut in uninvited. “Or are you just reading that article written by Sly Edaghese”
Lagbaja: “Yes, I’m just reading that article. Or are you saying the writer is wrong?”
Me: “Ok. I have also read that article in the morning but I don’t agree with the writer much as I respect his opinion.”
Lagbaja: “Ok. Good. But do you know that this Sanusi man doesn’t know jack about Economics? He doesn’t know the implications of his actions on the larger economy. After taking such draconian and rash decisions, he is now seeking ways of salvaging the situation. He has been in London. He has been on CNN, BBC etc. In fact, this man comes across as a clueless aboki man that got CBN governorship position by ethnic consideration.”
Me: “Sincerely, I’m really disappointed in your last statement and would have moved to another table if not for the demand of respect. But I will take my time to engage you, perhaps you may see reason on why we must look at issues beyond tribal prism.”
Lagbaja: “Don’t run away my friend, answer my questions.”
Me: “Okay, You said this man doesn’t know jack about Economics. He had a Masters degree in Economics from one of Nigeria’s most respected universities. He has over twenty years experience in banking. He is acknowledged, almost unanimously, as Nigeria’s banking industry’s best brain in risk management. Did you study Sanusi’s profile at all? Did you notice some salient events in his career progression?”
Lagbaja: “Why did you omit his Sharia degree? Okay, I know he was with UBA for a number of years before moving to First Bank.”
Me: “Okay, apologies for omitting his Sharia degree but I don’t think that diminishes his knowledge of banking and economics which he needs to carry out his present job.”
“So what are the salient events in his career progression which the press don’t know, but you know?” sarcastically asked Lagbaja, adjusting his spectacles.
Me: “There is nothing I know that the press don’t know or have not mentioned. I only called them salient because they are deductive from his profile and career rise.”
Lagbaja: “What are they?”
Me: “Coming fresh from Sudan, banking profession-rusty, with a degree in Sharia, do you think a bank like UBA will offer him the position of principal manager if they didn’t see anything exceptional in him? If he didn’t have any special quality, do you think UBA will ignore his six off-banking Sudan years to give him such a high post? We are not talking about ministry or parastatal here and the last time I checked, UBA was not a northern bank. Did you also notice his rapid promotion in UBA, including being promoted twice in the same year (1997)? Have you read about how he moved to First Bank? These are private sector establishments. So I feel uncomfortable when people dismiss this man as an opportunist that got CBN governorship job because of ethnic consideration. I dare say that this man would have made the list of top three contenders for the apex bank job irrespective of the region he comes from.”
Lagbaja: “Hmmnn, you and this your Sanusi. Ok, I agree he is good. But have you asked him why he read Sharia, and in violent Sudan for that matter?”
Me: “First, I have never met Sanusi. But I don’t think he owes us any explanation for studying Islamic studies. I don’t know why Nigerians continue to make issue out of petty matters like this. At a point in our lives, we all make decisions that are strictly private. Erastus Akingbola, for example, is an ordained RCCG Pastor that preaches on the pulpit. Does that make him less effective as a banker? Was that an issue when he was made CIBN president? And I’m sure that wouldn’t have been an issue if he was made the CBN governor? So I don’t know why Nigerians are making issues out of Sanusi’s private decision to be an Islamic scholar (just like Pastor Akingbola or Segun Agbetuyi). Do you expect him to spend all his life, including private life, on banking? Obasanjo, after a successful military career and eight years as civilian president, decided to get a degree in theology, who cares about his private decision? Sanusi is a Kano prince and he may have an eye for the emirship after his career as a banker, and being knowledgeable, Islamically, may be of help. But has that diminished his knowledge of banking and economics? Didn’t FBN, a private sector establishment, know that before making him their CEO?”
Lagbaja: “Okay, what’s your take on Soludo? Don’t you think Sanusi is out to rubbish Soludo’s achievements?”
Me: “Honestly, I don’t think so. Soludo to me, did what he felt was the best to do at that time and Sanusi is doing what he feels is the best now. Soludo focused on strength while Sanusi is focusing on ethics.”
Suddenly entered Tamedo, who came for a late lunch and sat beside us.
Tamedo: “Mr man, tell me, sincerely, how much did Sanusi pay you to do PR job for him? Because I can see how passionately you have been defending him since I joined you here.”
Me: “The Sanusi I know will not pay anybody 50 kobo to defend him.”
Tamedo: “Interesting…now answer my northern and Islamic agenda poser.”
Me: “Look, I am a Yoruba man and a proud one, but I have gone beyond reading tribal meaning to everything. The five bank chiefs were sacked due, purely, to financial recklessness, poor corporate governance and flagrant disregard for basic banking ethics and principles. Imagine giving N13 billion unsecured loan to a family nanny under various names? These are issues we should be discussing rather than crucifying a man that is passionate about cleaning the Augean stables. People that worked with him in UBA confirmed his no non-sense approach to issues. The most interesting thing about this man is that he had taken on even leaders of his tribe in the past.”
Tamedo: “Quick one before you go. Did you say you were off to the Mosque upstairs to pray? Leaving office for prayers. Birds of a feather. I read from Vanguard’s Rotimi Fasan’ column that Sanusi also used to leave his work for prayers during prayer times. He even wrote that he heard Sanusi was a polygamist.”
Me: “Sincerely, I don’t know whether to cry or laugh. I also read that Fasan’s column and I was utterly disappointed. This is how low people have stooped just to criticize this man. What, for God’s sake, has his sparing five minutes of his time by 2 and 4 o’clocks got to do with his performance as CBN governor? What do we say of the people that spend the first thirty minutes of their office hours fellowshipping? What do we say of banks that make this mandatory? What has his being a polygamist got to do with the issue at hand? Wasn’t Gani a proud polygamist? Didn’t he do his job effectively? Dudes, the earlier we begin to shed our parochial mindset in the analysis of national issues, the better for us. Odaabo”
Oyewale wrote in from Dideolu Estate, off Ligali Ayorinde Street, Victoria Island, Lagos