Northern Nigeria region is least educated and the poorest in Nigeria, the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, said on Friday, warning that unless something was done, the north would remain far behind.
Mr. Sanusi may also give up his throne if he had to sacrifice his conscience or be silenced by critics, his daughter told a gathering on Friday, saying that there was no choice between her father’s throne and his conscience.
“If my father has to choose between the throne and his conscience, he would rather give up the throne,” his daughter said, citing attacks that her father’s comments generated recently for saying that northern Nigeria is the poorest and least educated region in Nigeria.
In a message read by his daughter, Emir Sanusi said over 70 percent of people in the north live in poverty, but the north “does not want to do anything about it”, and does not want to admit that fact.
Mr. Sanusi said Northern Nigeria is the least educated and poorest part of the country and attempts to hide that fact is detrimental to the progress of the region.
Mr. Sanusi speech was read by his daughter at an event to mark the third anniversary of the Bring Back Our Girls.
Mr. Sanusi said the poverty in northern Nigeria is as result of decades failed policies, adding that although he is being challenged, he understands that “anybody that challenges the status quo should be ready for a serious backlash”
But he added, “if you have to die please die standing and not in your knees,” Mr. Sanusi said, adding “ignore the noise, do not defend yourself too much against personal attacks”. because after the attacks the issue would still remain and would not go away unless addressed.