The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has explained why he remained calm after losing two major positions, saying his faith in God helped him through the period.
Sanusi spoke during the Fola Adeola Annual Ramadan Lecture, where he reflected on his suspension as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and his later removal as Emir of Kano.
He said many people wrongly give too much credit to human beings for what happens in life, instead of recognising that circumstances change by the will of God.
According to him, remembering that situations are temporary helped him stay calm during those moments.
He said, “Too often in our lives, we attribute things to human beings, but they are all created. Remembering that situations are not permanent, that Allah changes your circumstances, helps you cope and conduct yourself.
“I’ve seen people who beg, cringe, and bow to human beings. They humiliate themselves because they feel this person is the one who holds the path to their position.
“I was suspended from being governor of the central bank. Three months later, I became an emir.
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“Several years ago I was removed as emir; four years later, I came back. I’m now in the same palace, I’m on my throne. Yes, there are challenges but at the end of the day you hold on to God. You don’t panic.”
Sanusi said after he was removed as emir, he stayed away from Kano and focused on his academic work. He said the period helped him avoid situations that could have been humiliating.
He also advised people not to see the loss of a position as the end of their purpose, but to remain firm in their principles.
He added, “I think of all the things that could have happened if I was in Kano in the last four years, the humiliation I could have faced, the people I would have had to deal with, the people I would have had to report to, but God was so merciful, so kind. He took me away from that. He gave me a chance, I went and did a PhD and I’m back.
“If I’m taken away from positions, it’s not a big deal. At the end of the day, I ask myself, have I done anything to offend God?” he said.
“It’s better for you to leave there and keep to your principles than to stay there and earn the wrath of Allah.”