The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has expressed concern over the loss of moral values in Nigerian society, especially how people in power are treated.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Sanusi said the country must stop honouring people who have stolen public funds by giving them more opportunities in government.
He explained that when a society respects wealth no matter how it is made, and rewards those known to have stolen money, it creates a system that continues to promote corruption.
“A society in which material wealth, no matter how you get it, is respected, is glorified, where people who are known to have stolen money get rewarded with ministerial appointments, that society will continue to reproduce itself.”
Sanusi criticised the way people who misuse public office are treated, saying they are often celebrated instead of being held accountable.
“We don’t have a sense of disgust for people who hold public office and amass wealth; we reward them with appointments, with more public offices, and more opportunities to amass wealth, and this is what Nigeria has become,” he said.
He added that many people in leadership positions today were not properly raised to understand the purpose of public service.
“Many people go into government to make money but you don’t go into government to make money,” he said.
Sanusi also condemned leaders who focus only on personal wealth and fame, instead of building a good name or legacy.
“We have been ruled by people who have no values; they have no name behind them, and they have no desire to leave a name after them. These are people who define themselves by what they own; how many houses they have, how many private jets they have, how many billions they have in bank accounts. And they think that is something.”
He added that such people do not care how others see them, even if they are viewed as thieves or criminals.
“It is not important to them that people look at them and they only see thieves, they see criminals, they see people who have taken the commonwealth. It is simply not important because for them, values do not matter,” he stated.