Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who bagged honourary doctorate degrees in Economics from the Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Saturday, were so honoured in appreciation of their economic management expertise, the university management said.

Both honourees, according to the university, were chosen for the honour solely on the basis of merit on account of their excellent management of the country’s economy and financial system.

Vice Chancellor, Prof. J. Adeleke Ogunwale, who described Mr. Sanusi as a “very brilliant and extremely intelligent” person, commended him for his courage and vision in taking necessary steps to stabilise the Nigerian banking system.

In his acceptance speech, the Governor expressed pride in his selection for the honour. He noted that the fact that both he and the Minister of Finance and CME were being honoured on the same day emphasises the importance of managing the economy effectively and keeping it sound for all citizens.

Sanusi gave assurance of their continued commitment to keep working for the growth and stability of the economy in a way that would translate to noticeable improvement in the standard of living of all Nigerians.

In her remarks, the minister, who attended the event with her husband, Prof. Ikemba Iweala, thanked the institution for selecting them for the honour. While congratulating the graduands and wishing them well, she charged them, in the words of a former American President JF Kennedy not to ask what their country can do for them but to ask what they can do for their country.

Among dignitaries at the event were the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University, Dr. Ramon Adegoke Adedoyin, as well as the Chancellor and Visitor of the institution, who is also the Ooni of Ife Kingdom, Oba Okunade Sijuade, represented by his wife, Yeye Oodu’a.

Others were Mrs. Anastasia M. Daniel-Nwaobia, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance and also a Board Member of the Central Bank; Dr. Bright Okogwu, Director General, Budget Office; and Mrs. Iyabode Adedoyin, Chairman, Board of Trustees of Oduduwa University. Also present were Mr. Lamido Yuguda, CBN Director of Reserve Management; Mr. Abdullahi Ahmad, Director of Governor’s Department; among other CBN executives.

•Photo (L-R) shows Prof. J. Adeleke Ogunwale, Vice Chancellor, Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife; Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy; and Prof. Ikemba Iweala (her husband), at the conferment of honourary doctorate degrees on Sanusi and Okonjo-Iweala by the university.

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