The Emir of Kano, His Highness, Muhammadu Sanusi II, says, Kano will continue to build these bridges across the Niger to hold hands and remain brothers and sisters, citizens of one great Nigeria.
Sanusi spoke on Thursday, at the 2025 Atani Day Celebration held at the Atani Community School field in Arochukwu Local Government Area, where he joined Governor Otti, his longtime friend, to celebrate Christmas with the community, stating, “I hope that we will continue to build these bridges across the Niger, to hold hands and remain brothers and sisters, and citizens of one great country.”
Emir Sanusi, who arrived in Abia on December 23, commended the Cultural displays at the Atani Day celebration and called on Nigerians to continue to strengthen National Unity across ethnic and religious lines, stating, “This is my first time at this event and I am most impressed by the cultural display. I bring you goodwill and good tidings from the good people of Kano.”
Emir Sanusi II commended the achievements of Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, describing the past two years of the administration as a period of remarkable transformation that has attracted attention beyond the State and Nigeria.
“I like to congratulate Dr Otti for all the work he has done in Abia. I am sure for those of you in Abia, nobody needs to tell you. But you will want to know that even outside Abia and outside Nigeria, everyone has taken note of the great transformation of the last two years.
“I will like to congratulate Governor Otti for his work and to pray that he will continue to deliver for the people. I am proud to be a member of his international Economic Advisory Council.
“Many of you will recall that I was present at the swearing-in ceremony of my friend and brother, Dr Alex Otti. We have had a relationship going back decades. We were friends in UBA and First Bank. We have remained friends”, the Emir said.
In his remarks, Governor Otti described the Emir as “my friend and brother from another mother,” noting that their friendship spans more than two decades. We are glad to have him, he just came to celebrate Christmas with us.
“Sometimes, when people are politicising ethnicity and tribalism, it’s because they don’t have any argument. If you have an argument to make, it shouldn’t be about ethnicity and religion”, Governor Otti stated and who decried the politicization of ethnicity and religion in national discourse.
The Governor recalled Sanusi’s resilience through personal and professional challenges, urging Abians to remain steadfast in the face of adversity, stating, “He was Central Bank Governor. He insisted on the right thing to be done and they removed him. You can suspend me but you can’t suspend the truth. As an Emir, they removed him and then later, he was called back”, Governor Otti said.
The Governor reassured residents that his administration would not disappoint them, stressing that it was a people-driven government, pointing out, “We are not afraid, the people that brought us to power are still there, and they are the ones that will write the testimonial at the end of the day”.
“The event featured colourful cultural dances and was attended by the Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, HRH Eze Eberechukwu Oji, illustrious sons and daughters of Atani community, dignitaries, and appointees of both the federal and Abia State governments.
