The former Central Bank Governor, and Emir of Kano His Royal Highness Muhammadu Sanusi the second , surprised guests present at the Muson Centre for the launching of the book of Sir Olaniwun Ajayi.

Below is his unedited speech.

“Let me start by saying that I am Fulani (laughter). My grandfather was an Emir also fulani my uncle and guardian was also the immediate late Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero and therefore I represent all that has been talked about this afternoon. Sir Ajayi has written a book. And like all Nigerians of his generation, he has written in the language of his generation.

“My grandfather was a Northerner, I am a Nigerian. The problem with this country is that in 2009, we speak in the language of 1953. Sir Olaniwun can be forgiven for the way he spoke, but I cannot forgive people of my generation speaking in that language.

“Let us go into this issue because there are so many myths that are being bandied around. Before colonialism, there was nothing like Northern Nigeria, Before the Sokoto Jihad, there was nothing like the Sokoto caliphate. The man from Kano regard himself as bakane. The man from Zaria was bazazzage. The man from Katsina was bakatsine. The kingdoms were at war with each other. They were Hausas, they were Muslims, they were killing each other.

“The Yoruba were Ijebu, Owo, Ijesha, Akoko, Egba. When did they become one? When did the North become one? You have the Sokoto Caliphate that brought every person from Adamawa to Sokoto and said it is one kingdom. They now said it was a Muslim North.

“The Colonialists came, put that together and said it is now called the Northern Nigeria. Do you know what happened? Our grand fathers were able to transform to being Northerners. We have not been able to transform to being Nigerians. The fault is ours.

Tell me, how many governors has South West produced after Awolowo that are role models of leadership? How many governors has the East produced like Nnamdi Azikiwe that can be role models of leadership? How Many governors in the Niger Delta are role models of leadership? Tell me. There is no evidence statistically that any part of this country has produced good leaders.

You talk about Babangida and the problems of our economy. Who were the people in charge of the economy during Babangida era? Olu Falae, Kalu Idika Kalu. What state are they from in the North?

“We started the banking reform; the first thing I heard was that in Urobo land, there will be a curse of the ancestors. I said they (ancestors) would not answer. They said why? I said how many factories did Ibru build in Urobo land? So, why will the ancestors of the Urobo people support her?

“We talk ethnicity when it pleases us. It is hypocrisy. You said elections were rigged in 1959, Obasanjo and Maurice Iwu rigged election in 2007. Was it a Southern thing? It was not. “The problem is: everywhere in this country, there is one Hausa, Ibo, Yoruba and Itshekiri man whose concern is how to get his hands on the pile and how much he can steal.

Whether it is in the military or in the civilian government, they sit down, they eat together. In fact, the constitution says there must be a minister from every state.

“So, anybody that is still preaching that the problem of Nigeria is Yoruba or Hausa or Fulani, he does not love Nigeria . The problem with Nigeria is that a group of people from each and every ethnic tribe is very selfish. The poverty that is found in Maiduguri is even worse than any poverty that you find in any part of the South.

The British came for 60 years and Sir Ajayi talked about few numbers of graduates in the North (two as at independence). What he did not say was that there was a documented policy of the British when they came that the Northerner should not be educated. It was documented. It was British colonial policy. I have the document. I have published articles on it. That if you educate the Northerner you will produce progressive Muslim intellectuals of the type we have in Egypt and India. So, do not educate them. It was documented. And you say they love us (North) more than the south.

“I have spent the better part of my life to fight and Dr. (Reuben) Abati knows it. Yes, my grandfather was an Emir. Why was I in the pro-democracy movement fighting for June 12? Is (Moshood) Abiola from Kano ? Why am I a founding director of the Kudirat Initiative for Nigerian Development (KIND)?

“There are good Yoruba people, good Igbo people, good Fulani people, good Nigerians and there are bad people everywhere. That is the truth. “Stop talking about dividing Nigeria because we are not the most populous country in the world. We have all the resources that make it easy to make one united great Nigeria . It is better if we are united than to divide it.

“Every time you talk about division, when you restructure, do you know what will happen? In Delta Area, the people in Warri will say Agbor, you don’t have oil. When was the Niger Delta constructed as a political entity? Ten years ago, the Itshekiris were fighting the Urobos. Isn’t that what was happening? Now they have become Niger Delta because they have found oil. After, it will be, if you do not have oil in your village then you cannot share our resources.

“There is no country in the world where resources are found in everybody’s hamlet. But people have leaders and they said if you have this geography and if we are one state, then we have a responsibility for making sure that the people who belong to this country have a good nature.

“So, why don’t you talk about; we don’t have infrastructure, we don’t have education, we don’t have health. We are still talking about Fulani. Is it the Fulani cattle rearer or is anybody saying there is no poverty among the Fulani?”, he said.
LESSONS FROM THIS MESSAGE

Tribalism is not our problem. Tribalism and religion are artificial problems created by selfish leaders for their own personal interest.

There are only two major tribes in Nigeria. The Elites and the Masses. Once you make lots of money, you belong to the elite tribe. When you are a commoner or suffering, you belong to the tribe of the masses. If you are an elite, and you need more power, or elective position, you sow seeds of tribalism and religion among the masses, so as to sway their emotion for your personal victory. This happens at both the national and state level. Unfortunately, after the election when they have won and joined their “sworn enemies” to drink and party, the gullible masses continue to fight each other.

Even smart people who belong to the masses, sometimes will sow seeds of tribalism and religion among the masses, and then the masses will carry them up until they belong to the elite class. It is a classic strategy used over 3000 years ago in the art of war. A commoner who aspires to sit with the elites, could stir up powerful tribal or religious sentiments, such wave if properly utilized either by shedding blood or destabilizing the elites, carries the commoner to the elite class. But once there, he immediately mingles and makes peace with the elite tribe, and turn his back on the same masses that helped him get there.

Youths are the worst victim of this powerplay, they kill each other, call other tribes unprintable names, do terrible things and sometimes, even lose their life, thinking they are fighting for their right, not knowing that they are fighting for the personal welfare of someone, whose own children are probably safe in America or London.

So youths, don’t hope on the government. If you don’t have a job, create one. There is abject poverty in the south as well as the north, whether Ogoni or Maidugri. At the same time, there is massive wealth in Lagos, Onitsha, Nnewi, Aba, Kano, Abuja, irrespective of zone.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it well and never remain idle. No job is too low for an idle hand, or else the devil will find work for you. As you become independent, and grow your capacity, do not lose hope in Nigeria. We are the largest economy in Africa and soon the world will fear us. Western powers, don’t like big economies that threaten them, America will do anything to break China, but China is wise to resist that. China has 1.6 billion people, we have only 170 million, and we are talking of breaking.

China has 5 major religions which are Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam and Christianity. Nigeria has only 2 major religions, Christianity and Islam. Yet we claim that religion is our problem.

America, the strongest economy is comprised of every tribe in the world, since they accept anybody from any part of the world. Yet they are united and extremely patriotic. Nigeria has only 3 major tribes, and we claim tribalism.

Think clearly and deeply, and you will realize that empowering yourself is the best course of action, not fighting each other. And once the youths are empowered, they can begin to take back their future from the hands of the old and corrupt generation that has been blinding Nigerians with hatred, while looting all her resources. Sani Abacha’s loot is still stashed away in Switzerland, did he use it to develop the north? Those that stole billions under GEJ stashed it away in foreign banks, bought expensive toys, jets and foreign homes, are they using it to develop the south? Now the ones stealing currently, including the “grasscutters”, are looking for Ikoyi apartments, abandoned houses, and pit toilets to hide it, are they using it for the youths in their tribe? NO!

Youths shine your eyes ! Don’t always fall for this tribal, religious sentiments over and over again. Nigeria is bigger than these corrupt elites. They are the problem, not the poor masses.

Not an ounce of lie! The youths are always used to fight against each other and they do so foolishly.

This is the gospel truth. The youth make upvover 70% of Nigeria yet they are being marginalized and used. Develop where you are because that is where you are from. You child is born and bred in Lagos. Never been to the village yetvyou tell him he is an Igbo man or Hausa man or Yoruba woman. Na lie where you livevia where you are from. Get used to it. One Nigeria

Epistle of truth.

But Propaganda is like giving food to a hungry animal only to trap it for food.

Mstw yo go and copy old news and present it as new. This is over a year.

omoola007:
This is the gospel truth. The youth make upvover 70% of Nigeria yet they are being marginalized and used. Develop where you are because that is where you are from. You child is born and bred in Lagos. Never been to the village yetvyou tell him he is an Igbo man or Hausa man or Yoruba woman. Na lie where you livevia where you are from. Get used to it. One Nigeria

Lol.. maybe when ure asked to bring you Local Govt of Origin Document.. ull present your birth certificate showing your place of birth

I salute u. very well said. I pray that the youths from South East Nigeria get to read this and get wiser.only God will help them and every other underprevelage Nigerians who are being hood winked into baseless agitations by d elites as a result of poverty

The Emir makes a lot of sense, because when you check, why are other Muslim countries like Egypt, Saudi arabia, Malaysia, Singapore making developing and making progress?

To make sure we don't make any meaningful progress if at all we overcome illiteracy, tribalism and religious bigotry were enshrined in our psyche for ease of political manipulation by the elites, who took the place of the colonial masters.

You will not see them on this topic , lazy youths.

Damn it... just when your about to go all Schwarzenegger on em.

Someone come with a logical argument ... I can't resist logic.

From now on .. I make peace with the South-East, no more bashing.

ONE NIGERIA

blueseacats:
You will not see them on this topic , lazy youths.

STFU! YOU FOOL.

BIAFRA IS COMING WHETHER Y'ALL LIKE IT OR NOT.

THE MINDS OF THE IGBOS ARE MADE YOU CAN HUG TRANSFORMER FOR ALL I CARE.

AS FOR YOU SANUSI GO TO HELL.

TheCabal:
Damn it... just when your about to go all Schwarzenegger on em.

Someone come with a logical argument ... I can't resist logic.

From now on .. I make peace with the South-East, no more bashing.

ONE NIGERIA

Niggur,hold your "piss",we ain't begging for it.Seperation is what we need.

TheCabal:
Damn it... just when your about to go all Schwarzenegger on em.

Someone come with a logical argument ... I can't resist logic.

From now on .. I make peace with the South-East, no more bashing.

ONE NIGERIA

SEE THEM AFONJAS BEGGING WITH STYLE.

DUDE WE ARE BIAFRANS YOU WILL SURELY BEG FOR US TO STAY.

WE ARE SUPERIOR TO NORTH

WE ARE SUPERIOR TO THE SOUTH

WE ARE SUPERIOR TO THE WEST.

TO HELL WITH NIGERIA YOU FOOL.

Mcquine:


STFU! YOU FOOL.

BIAFRA IS COMING WHETHER Y'ALL LIKE IT OR NOT.

THE MINDS OF THE IGBOS ARE MADE YOU CAN HUG TRANSFORMER FOR ALL I CARE.

AS FOR YOU SANUSI GO TO HELL.

You wrote a topic about how you need people to buy stuff from the north through you. Now you want Biafra. The fact that you don't know you will need a visa to go to north after your Biafra makes me ashamed to be called ibos alongside fools like you.

You are a disgrace to common sense.

This Emir is too sensible. I wish to meet with him someday

blueseacats:
You wrote a topic about how you need people to buy stuff from the north through you. Now you want Biafra. The fact that you don't know you will need a visa to go to north after your Biafra makes me ashamed to be called ibos alongside fools like you.

You are a disgrace to common sense.

For you to think that without North we would all starve to death your stupidity is uncanny.

I just feel for your parents it proves you are in fact a waste of Sperm

Nwakaumu:
Niggur,hold your "piss",we ain't begging for it.Seperation is what we need.

Mcquine:


SEE THEM AFONJAS BEGGING WITH STYLE.

DUDE WE ARE BIAFRANS YOU WILL SURELY BEG FOR US TO STAY.

WE ARE SUPERIOR TO NORTH

WE ARE SUPERIOR TO THE SOUTH

WE ARE SUPERIOR TO THE WEST.

TO HELL WITH NIGERIA YOU FOOL.

ONE NIGERIA

Mcquine:


For you to think that without North we would all starve to death your stupidity is uncanny.

I just feel for your parents it proves you are in fact a waste of Sperm

I survive with or without north, you on the other hand will be dead without them.

My survival don't even depend on Nigeria, in fact few Nigerians depends on me for their salaries: ibos , calabar and Yoruba included. I'm a proud Nigerian. You on the other hand still have to beg for food from north. Whats the difference between you and aborted fetus.

It's never do wells like you that come online to disturb the peace, thinking Biafra will make your lives any better. A failure is a failure even if they make you the president of your village.

For your information, on the sound of one bullet in Nigeria. I will be evacuated, that is if am in the country. You will be left to dance to your drum of war. You don't even look like you will last. There's no war yet you look like a skeleton already.

Mcquine:


STFU! YOU FOOL.

BIAFRA IS COMING WHETHER Y'ALL LIKE IT OR NOT.

THE MINDS OF THE IGBOS ARE MADE YOU CAN HUG TRANSFORMER FOR ALL I CARE.

AS FOR YOU SANUSI GO TO HELL.

nawa oo
Calm down na
Sanusi just said d plain truth dere
Y d insults on him

some people from some part rejected a bill from the eastern part recently.. it speaks volume quo ?

The truth is that you people never wore clothes until the British clothed you. That you lived in small villages while we the Yoruba are the first metropolitan people in west Africa. You were busy sacrificing your twins while we were creating one of west Africa's largest empires. Your insults to afonja is a slight to your own race as he was not only the supreme generalissimo of oyos army but he won 28 battles in his entire career. Using the name afonja to insult any Yoruba person is an insult to your nameless forefathers
The majority of Igbo in Lagos are not only petty traders and hawkers but also import fake products that endanger the nation. You people should stop deceiving yourselves we the Yoruba pray day by day for Biafra
At least it will stop the influx of fake products

Leadership at its peak..... Youths should save their selves

Really wise words coming from him. Only a Biafra goat will not see wisdom in what was said because they will rather follow cownu than for once face the truth. That is why they do not know how doomed they are.

Quite expository. I might not like SLS's person, but I admire his no-holds-barred, don't-care-whose-ox-is-gored approach to conflicting issues. He's indeed an aberration from the usual Northern traditional ruler.


Yeah, if you know about the North and its history, you'll know about the inter-tribal wars that characterised the region. That's one thing I respect about Ahmadu Bello: his achievement, through sheer force of will, in welding the North into one formidable force.


I also learnt something new - that the towering illiteracy level in the North is as a result of a direct British policy. The gods punish Britain.

This man is wise and intelligent.

Where are the useless Tribalist shouting IPOB,AREWA AND ALL SORTS OF JAGONS.... you would never find them here..

Our fight should be to the govt and not ourselves..

We have and have given all it takes to move a country forward..

We have read,
we have hustled in and out of the country,
We have sought knowledge
We have generated tonnes of wealth enough to cater for everyone...
The hause man stays and sleeps on his farm yet cant live above average..
The igbo man has hustled, created businesses yet cant afford a reasonable home measurable to his input..
The yoruba man has read his hearts out yet unemployed..

Yet we carry our strenghts and xtics out of the country and in 2 years, we set up a befitting edifice.. is that not a reason to kill every leader and demand our rights?

WE ARE STILL AS BACKWARD AS THE DAYS OF MACHERPHERSON...

Imagine the "grasscutter" stealing from the poor IDP's who are already down and out...

k

Esseite:
Where are the useless Tribalist shouting IPOB,AREWA AND ALL SORTS OF JAGONS.... you would never find them here..

Our fight should be to the govt and not ourselves..

We have and have given all it takes to move a country forward..

We have read,
we have hustled in and out of the country,
We have sought knowledge
We have generated tonnes of wealth enough to cater for everyone...
The hause man stays and sleeps on his farm yet cant live above average..
The igbo man has hustled, created businesses yet cant afford a reasonable home measurable to his input..
The yoruba man has read his hearts out yet unemployed..

Yet we carry our strenghts and xtics out of the country and in 2 years, we set up a befitting edifice.. is that not a reason to kill every leader and demand our rights?

WE ARE STILL AS BACKWARD AS THE DAYS OF MACHERPHERSON...

Imagine the "grasscutter" stealing from the poor IDP's who are already down and out...

k


we are backward that's the more reason why we need biafra o

This Emir is a Nigerian. Nnamdi Kanu is not a Nigerian. He is a Biafran. There is no Biafra in Nigeria and in the Nigerian Constitution, so Nnamdi Kanu should be declared persona non grata now and be thrown out of Nigeria by IGP

What is Nairaland's position on peace in this country? See those ones up there freely increasing the hate around and their statements are still standing.

I wish these haters from yoruba will read this.

I dey fear all these unity beggars. They are very desperate. If possible, they will even quote bible verses where God himself said that Nigeria must remain one at all cost.