Former presidential candidate, Dr. Kingsley Moghalu has described his former boss at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, as his “destiny helper”.
He stated this in his birthday message to Sanusi, who clocked 60 today.
As Governor of CBN in 2009, Sanusi recommended Moghalu for the job of Deputy Governor of the apex bank.
Moghalu, who shared photos of himself with Sanusi over the years, wrote:
I salute you as you turn 60 years old today to the Glory of God your Maker. Happy Birthday! I pray that God will grant you long life.
At 60, you have made tremendous impact on Africa’s largest economy as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009-2014, on Nigeria’s national affairs 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.
I am proud of you, proud to call you a brother and a friend, and proud of the great work we did together – 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 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 now-late President Umaru Yar’Adua for high-level national service as a Deputy Governor of the CBN to support you as Head of the Financial System Stability (FSS) Directorate. Your consistent respect for, and encouragement of leadership and professional competence in the service of Nigeria’s national interest is one the traits I most respect you for. We became on my return home not just colleagues, but friends for life.
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.
May your days be long on earth, Khalifa, and may God’s blessings abide with you and your dear family.