President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday commended the leadership of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, describing his as wise, competent and diligent.
His leadership, he said, prevented extremists, terrorists and insurgents from establishing firm roots in Kano.
Speaking at an audience with a delegation from the Emir and led by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and Dan Majen Kano, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the president said that the nation owed the Emir a huge debt of gratitude for his efforts which, he said, greatly helped to prevent Kano’s large population of youths from falling under the influence of extremists.
The president restated his condemnation of the recent terrorists attack on Alhaji Ado Bayero which, he said, was most reprehensible. “We thank God Almighty for sparing his life.
We will continue to pray that God should grant him many more years of fruitful service to the people of Kano and Nigeria,” Jonathan told members of the delegation who were at the Presidential Villa to convey the Emir’s appreciation for the president’s support and representation at recent celebrations to mark the Emir’s 50th year on the throne.
Declaring that the Emir was one of the most decent and respectable Nigerians he had had the privilege of interacting with, the president said that Alhaji Bayero’s successful rulership of Kano for over 50 years was quite significant and worthy of celebration.
The Governor of the Central Bank who spoke on behalf of the delegation, which included Prince Ahmed Ado Bayero, Mallam Abdulqadir Mustafa and Mallam Munir Sanusi, said that Alhaji Ado Bayero greatly appreciated President Jonathan’s interest, support, goodwill and representation at all the major events organised to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his ascension to the throne of the Emirate of Kano.
Speaking with State House Correspondents after delivering a letter of appreciation to the president, Sanusi expressed optimism that economic activities would soon return to Kano as government tackles the security challenge in the country.
“I think we should expected quick return of economic activities in Kano and a lot is happening both at the federal and state levels; you can see the reconstruction and rehabilitation going on in the city, you can see people beginning their normal activities.
“With the power reforms, electricity and infrastructure and with what the federal government is doing, we hope that the industries will come back. It is a city that was historically the centre for Trans Saharan Trade in that part of the country, it has a long history of commerce and industry,” Sanusi said.
