By Abiola Olawale
The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has made a powerful statement on the disconnect between Nigeria’s elite and the harsh realities of poverty faced by millions.
Speaking at a public lecture held to commemorate the 60th birthday celebration of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, in Abuja, on Saturday, Sanusi, a former Central Bank Governor revealed that his role as Emir exposed him to the true depth of deprivation in the country, urging leaders to cultivate empathy for those they serve.
The former CBN Governor said, “Many of the elite in Nigeria do not know what poverty is. As an economist and former CBN Governor, I see the numbers. I did not know poverty until I became Emir.
“And you go to the village and see the water they drink, the houses they live in, they two block classrooms without roofs.
“Do we actually love the people or do we just love ruling over them? What are our priorities? We make overheads and underpasses for ourselves in the cities, while there in the rural areas, we cannot reach hospitals. We are in crisis, how do we get out should be our focus.”
Sanusi charged those saddled with the responsibility of leadership to inculcate the virtues of empathy with those they’ve been given a responsibility to lead.
