The Khalifa of the Tijjaniyya sect in Nigeria, Muhammadu Sanusi ii, has said the general economic recession in the country is the root cause of the various security challenges bedevilling the country.
The 14th Emir of Kano also lamented that Nigeria had made no progress in the past 40 years.
Sanusi, also Governor of Central Bank (CBN), spoke at a colloquium in Kaduna on Saturday to mark his 60th birthday anniversary.
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“In 1980, Nigeria’s GDP per capita on purchasing power parity basis was $2,180. In 2014, it appreciated by 50 per cent to $3,099. According to the World Bank, where were we in 2019? $2,229. At this rate in the next two years, in terms of purchasing power parity, the average income would have gone back to what it was in 1980 under Shehu Shagari. That means, in 40 years, no progress. We made zero progress. Forty years wasted”.
He noted that 70% of security problems in the country, such as Banditry, Herdsmen-farmer clash, kidnapping, and others, have their root in the economy, adding that even the call for restructuring is about resources.
The khalifa had therefore advised that there is a need to quickly grow the economy and make it work for the poor people.
In the same vein, Sanusi stressed that northerners keep complaining about poverty and Almajirai, but expressed dismay that the Almajirias do not produce themselves, someone gave birth to them.
“If you cannot maintain one wife and you marry three, if you cannot maintain six children, you have Seventeen, if you leave those children in the street, not educate them, train them, you will have them growing up to be menace to the society”.
In his remarks, the host of the occassion and Governor of Kaduna State, Mal. Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai said Khalifa Sanusi is a man of gravitas and the most forthright friend anyone can have, who have stood out as an academic, banker and risk manager per excellence by the time he was in his 40s.
“We are particularly grateful for his support for our governance agenda in Kaduna State, to promote equal opportunity and empower people”, El-Rufai said.
The events had in attendance Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, former Deputy Governor of CBN, George Moghalo, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Emir of Zazzau, other Emirs and chiefs, University dons, other distinguished Nigerians, among others.
