In support of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II
It is apparent that former CBN governor and present Kano state Emir His Royal Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II has of recent time raised a lot of issues that borders across national development and international policies of the nation. Indeed, the Emir has registered his concern on the Nigerian plight more than any monarch has ever […]
It is apparent that former CBN governor and present Kano state Emir His Royal Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II has of recent time raised a lot of issues that borders across national development and international policies of the nation.
Indeed, the Emir has registered his concern on the Nigerian plight more than any monarch has ever done, and as such I reckoned that it is very important for all to look at these issues raised by the Emir for consideration and not castigation as we have being seeing recently.
Recently, while delivering a paper titled: “Nigeria In Search of New Growth Model” at the 15th meeting of the Joint Planning Board and National Council on Development Planning in Kano State, Emir Sanusi made it clear that the success story of governance in Lagos State has positioned it as the leading state in the country, adding that Nigeria needs the state more than the oil-rich Niger Delta.
The Emir even though not oblivious of the fact that every part of the country is important, said people should not, however, be obsessed by a resource.
Once again, borrowing a leaf from the words of wisdom spoken by the Emir, I was compelled to state here that, the North doesn’t need oil to survive. Agriculture and other non-oil revenue derivation sectors that the North relinquished are now being the center of attraction of the present administration; this is a clear indication that the days of the toothless bulldog called the Niger Delta militant or whatever they now call themselves will soon be over.
It is also apparent that just like the era of coal, oil will no doubt be a thing of the past and what will graciously replace it are the proceeds driven from the non-oil sector. Just as the Emir of Kano said, “You don’t drink or eat oil. You need it to move your vehicles. Now, you have electricity. You don’t need it to fill your generator. Now you have solar power and biomass. The future of oil is not there.
So, those few people who are trying to break up this country over oil, after sometime, oil will be worthless.” When that happens, then it will be once again the turn of the North to take over the mantle of driving Nigeria to the promised land of progress and stability.
However, we can only achieve that if we start making plans towards that direction by redirecting our attention to these sectors with all our forces to ensure maximum utilization of the opportunity presented to us.
My hope is to hear foreign investors saying “If I have money to invest, I will invest it in Nigeria, where there is consistency, regulations, transparency and people can be rich.” This is my dream.
* Abba Ado Tudunwada writes via email: abbatiado3@ gmail.com