The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) today claimed that its staff, on learning that its governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, was in Abuja on Wednesday begged him to show up in his CBN office in the traditional attire of “Dan Majen Kano.”
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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) today claimed that its staff, on learning that its governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, was in Abuja on Wednesday begged him to show up in his CBN office in the traditional attire of “Dan Majen Kano.”
In a terse statement signed by its chief image maker, Ugo Okoroafor, the CBN added that Mr. Sanusi was also on a short break. “For the avoidance of doubt we want to use this medium to state that the CBN Governor was on a short break, and was not on duty on the said day,” asserted the CBN. The statement added: “Malam Sanusi flew into Abuja after the ceremony and when staff got wind of his presence they persuaded him to pass through the office so that they could see the new Dan Maje.”
Mr. Sanusi’s appearance in his office wearing the full regalia of his traditional title has sparked widespread condemnation by Nigerians from many quarters. “It was as if Sanusi was proclaiming to the world that he now sees his job as part and parcel of a feudal agenda,” said an Abuja-based lawyer.
The CBN governor has drawn criticism in recent times for promoting anti-popular programs, including the decision by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to impose higher fuel prices on Nigerians. “Malam Sanusi used to be a firebrand attacker of Nigeria’s corrupt elite, but has since transformed into an insensitive apologist for the same group of people,” said a Nigerian civil rights activist.”
Several staff of the CBN’s headquarters in Abuja ridiculed the bank’s official claim that staff members had pleaded with Mr. Sanusi to show up in his traditional outfit. “When did we express the so-called wish to see Malam in his regalia? And who expressed the so-called wish?” asked a senior staff of the CBN. She added, “I never expressed any such wish nor do I know anybody else who did.”
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