The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Muhammadu Sanusi, has expressed his support for the CBN’s decision to relocate some of its departments from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to Lagos State.
Sanusi described oppositions from Northern groups over the planned relocation as mere “noise.”
Sanusi noted that the move is not a Northern problem but rather a philosophical decision that must be upheld by the appropriate authorities.
He encouraged CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso to stress empathy and respect for individual situations, focusing on mothers with children and those suffering from medical concerns.
Sanusi noted, “Individual situations should be considered. As much as possible, we should be empathetic. For example, young mothers with kids in school who do not need to move can be prioritized to stay in Abuja, or those with medical conditions, etc.”
Sanusi instructed Governor Cardoso to persist with the relocation scheme, cautioning him not to give in to political pressure. He contended that succumbing to such pressure could set a precedent for future meddling in CBN decisions.
“When I was about to license Jaiz Bank, there was a lot of religious noise from CAN, etc. Even enlightened people like Okey Emelamah were going to sue me in court on religious grounds.
”I ignored it and licensed the bank. Nothing happened,” Sanusi recalled, highlighting the importance of standing firm on principled decisions.”
He also noted that similar religious objections arose when his successor, a Christian governor, licensed at least two more non-interest banks without much controversy.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
