Former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Prof. Kingsley Moghalu on Saturday felicitated former CBN governor Muhammadu Sanusi II on his 60th birthday.
Moghalu, a 2023 presidential aspirant, who was deputy to Sanusi during his time at the CBN, described the former Emir of Kano, as one of the world’s 100 most influential persons.
“At 60, you have made tremendous impact on Africa’s largest economy as governor of the CBN from 2009-2014.
“Your impact still resonates on Nigeria’s national affairs and more broadly, in the sphere of Islamic religious and social affairs, as an author and public intellectual and on the global stage.
“Not only were you honored as the World Central Bank Governor of the Year and Africa’s Central Bank Governor of the Year in 2012 by The Banker Magazine, you were named by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential Persons in the World in 2011,” he said.
Moghalu said he remained proud to call Sanusi brother and a friend and proud of the great work they did together .
“I recall the world class reforms of Nigeria’s banking sector and payments system we undertook at the CBN under your overall leadership.
“These reforms were simply visionary, courageous and well ahead of what obtained in several economically and institutionally more advanced jurisdictions after the great financial crisis.
“I also recall with deep appreciation, the role you played as a ‘destiny helper’ in my life.
“You invited me back home to Nigeria in 2009 from my base in Geneva, Switzerland and recommended me to the now-late President Umaru Yar’Adua for high-level national service, as a Deputy Governor of the CBN.
“Your consistent respect for and encouragement of leadership and professional competence in the service of national interest is one of the traits I most respect you for.
“As Emir of the great emirate of Kano, and now as the Khalifa of the Tijanniya Sufi Islamic order in Nigeria, you have been similarly consequential.
“I know that you will deploy your leadership influence in this spiritual order to advance your needed vision for social reforms for the development and stability of the northern part of our dear country,” Moghalu said.
He wished Sanusi more prosperous years in good health.
