The 60th birthday celebration of Kaduna State Governor, Nadir el-Rufai is currently in the news due to Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II’s comments at the event.
The controversial monarch berated Northern leaders for not doing enough to end poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, drug abuse and other social malaise in the region.
According to him, Boko Haram insurgency that is presently ravaging the region can be traced to these anomalies.
He expressed fear that the anomalies could spell the end for the region and by extension Nigeria.
Emir Sanusi commended el-Rufai for exhibiting the needed boldness and capacity to cause change in his state.
The Ooni of Ife, Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II also hailed the Kaduna governor for his exemplary leadership prowess.
President Muhammadu Buhari was represented by the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Mahmoud.
The event also had in attendance the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and Jigawa State Governor, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar.
Others at the event were Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed; APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, former APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun; former Zamfara State Governor, AbdulAziz Yari; and MD of Nigeria Port Authority, Hadiza Bala Usman, among others also graced El-Rufai’s event.