Lamido Sanusi Clinch Africa’s Central Bank Governor of the Year Title For The Third Consecutive Time

For the third consecutive time, Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has been awarded the “Central Bank Governor of the Year for the Sub-Saharan Africa” by international organisation, Emerging Magazine.

The award was presented on the sideline of the annual World Bank/IMF Meeting in Washington which features Central bank Governors and Finance Minister from across the globe.

Sanusi was awarded the Central Bank Governor of the year based on his outstanding performance in driving down inflation from double digit to single digit of about 8 percent.

Managing Director Emerging Magazine, John Orchard said Sanusi has consistently pursued and successfully maintained macro-economic stability amid the arduous challenges confronting the Nigerian economy.

Sanusi who have been able to successfully stabilize inflation rate over the years was appointed as the CBN Governor in June 2009 during a non-performing loan crisis that threatened to cripple the Nigerian banking sector.

Aside this recent award, Sanusi has several accolades to attest to his work as the leader of Nigeria’s apex bank. In May this year, Lamido Sanusi was named “African Central Bank Governor of the year” by African Banker Magazine for the third consecutive time. He was also awarded CBN Governor of the year by London-based Banker Magazine for his radical and corruption campaign in 2011.

Nigeria Ambassador to the US, Adebowale Adefuye said the award shows the international community’s confidence in Nigeria’s community and Sanusi’s professionalism on the job.

Sanusi in his address attributed the achievement to the CBN staff as well as the transformation reform embarked on by the Federal Government of Nigeria in various sectors of the economy.

“It is a great honour for me because this is going to be my last meeting. I thank all my colleagues for their support and the government for the confidence reposed in me.”

“We have worked day and night through the banking crisis and now we are working towards stability, financial inclusion and payment system transformation,” Sanusi said.

Sanusi will quit as the CBN Governor in 2014.  He has made his intention not to renew his 5 years contract known early this year.

20 Irish Firms To Invest In Nigeria

To further increase it bi-lateral trade relations with Nigeria, Irish High Commissioner to Nigeria Ambassador Patrick Fay said about 20 Irish companies would soon invest in Nigeria.

Speaking at the recent launch of Irish Mayor - a cream Liqueur created by the first elected Black Mayor in Ireland, Mr Rotimi Adebari- in Abuja, Fay said Irish Minister for Trade and Development would, in November 2013, lead a trade delegation to Nigeria to enhance the economic ties between Nigeria and Ireland.

The Irish delegations would be in Abuja to meet with Nigeria’s Minister of trade and investment, Olusegun Aganga to explore investment possibilities areas.

“We are trying to develop the link and make it stronger. To do that, we are working closely with the Nigerian Ambassador in Dublin and the Department of Foreign Affairs to work together to develop our trade,” he said

Ireland wants to establish firms in Nigeria to stimulate trade between both countries so as to diversify solely from oil imports which make up the bulk of its trade with Nigeria.

Nigeria’s trade with Ireland rose to e350m. This includes Ireland’s export to Nigeria at e5om and an import of e300m.