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I must confess to a certain southern Nigerian arrogance in my initial, startled encounters with Sanusi’s mind. ... Part of my initial reaction was: who the heck is this Northerner (read: feudal conservative Muslim who shouldn’t know more than the Koran!) with such a compelling mastery of European – mostly atheistic – humanist philosophy? And then to discover that this great cosmopolitan mind comes from the purest of northern oligarchy: the son of a former emir of Kano! The more reason he ought to have turned out a bearded sharianist!"
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My initial attitude betrays a certain Nigerian problem: the recourse to comforting ethno-religious stereotypes and the unwillingness to move beyond them because we risk encountering evidence to the contrary."
Oga Pius,
Many thanks for these candid words, I wonder how many other Nigerians can be honest enough to say they do not hold jaundiced views of other Nigerians outside of their immediate tribal stock or religious leanings? It is this head in the sand ostrich attitude of ours that allows us to pardon known thieves and embezlers that comes from our villages and tribal stocks and villify those who are from other leanings!
I have no opinion on the man Sanusi, save the taste of the pudding is in the eating! Soludo was very good for Nigeria at the time he came on board, but I recollect the same bruhaha about his mostly having been schooled in Nsuka and not outside the shores of 9ja!
Shame he's gone, but let's give the same benefit of doubt to the man Sanusi without crucifying because he comes from Kano and completes a lopsidedness in an abberation called Federal Character.
If Nigerians wants to moan about the debilitating effects of federal character and proclaims a desire for meritocracy, then it's time to stop looking at this man's religion and tribal stock as considerations.
Anyway, Nigerians are known for making empty noises and hiding their heads cos "mama dey for house, papa dey for house...I no wan die"
Those who have a truck with the appointment of Sanusi knows what to do - get out and demonstrate on the streets outside Aso Rock!
