How Adesina Emerged First Nigerian AfDB President
NIGERIA’S image blossomed once again at the international scene, as former Agriculture Minister, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, emerged new president of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The feat redeemed the backlash suffered by Nigeria about 10 years ago when her candidate, Dr. Bisi Ogunjobi, then Vice President at the AfDB, lost at home ground in Abuja to Rwanda’s Dr. Donald Kaberuka, who gracefully bowed out last week at the end of his second term in office.
Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, meanwhile, has congratulated Adesina on his election, describing it as not only a personal success to Adesina but also to Nigeria as a country.
He said the emergence of Adesina as head of the bank is another of many feats by indigenes of Ogun State.
“The appointment is well deserved, having served meritoriously in his position as Minister of Agriculture. He has made us proud in Ogun State, as we have scored yet another first, being the firstNigerian to be so appointed. I have no doubt in my mind that he would bring his experience to bear in his new assignment,” the governor said.
Adesina’s quest for the AfDB plum job began last year at the bank’s annual general meeting held in Rwanda when Kaberuka announced the completion of his tenure of office. Former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala had swung into action to hold consultative discussions with other regional blocks of the bank to secure the position for Adesina.
Since then, negotiations continued to hold across the continent to secure the support of particularly the non-African shareholders, who have enormous influence on who becomes the leader of the bank.
Though Nigeria is one of the highest shareholders of the bank and also floats the Nigerian Development Fund, where it lends funds to other less fortunate African countries, she has not been able, till now, to assume the headship of the institution because of the influence of the non-African shareholders’ bloc, which is so powerful and wealthy.
After six rounds of voting on Thursday that saw seven rivals from across the continent defeated, Adesina secured around 60 per cent of the vote in an election held in Ivory Coast, where the AfDB is based.
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13 Comments
Ogun State Governor should understand that Dr. Adesina never won the Presidency of the African Development Bank(AfDB)
because he is from Ogun State, but because the former President of Nigeria, Dr. Jonathan presented him to the body, and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iwuala, being a world figure, campaigned for and made sure Dr. Adesina got the job, by convincing other contestants, from other countries to drop their ambitions, and step aside.
Again, Dr. Adesina did not get the AfDB Presidency because he is from Ogun State or Yoruba.
you stupid john
Adesina, performed and made us proud as Minister of Agriculture. Food is plenty, no inflation, and we export food and safe money. we thank him. Let him bring the same creativity in this African Bank. God guides you, sir.
why do you call john stupid?
ALWAYS NDI_IGBO can make a difference in someone’s life: Adesina’s quest for the AfDB plum job began last year at the bank’s annual general meeting held in Rwanda when Kaberuka announced the completion of his tenure of office. Former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala had swung into action to hold consultative discussions with other regional blocks of the bank to secure the position for Adesina
It’s always Ndigbo indeed making the difference. The good, the bad and the ugly. I guess you are an example of the … you know.
Ademola,take it easy please! Your reaction reveals who and what you are. No need for your response to an earlier cheep reply to the main news item,lest you make a jest of yourself. Adesina Akinwunmi was the bright star in Jonathan’s administration and was eminently qualified for the position on his antecedents and achievements. For the first time in many years we truly had an agriculture minister who knew his onions. He is even better qualified for our number one position than what we have been sadly faced with in the past 16yrs. People like that usually belong to no one,and indeed belong to every one. He will be sorely missed in the Agriculture ministry and i predict it would become evident in the next 1-2 years.
I would have thought you are smart enough to understand a simple satire. Alas, you have proven me wrong. Thanks but no thanks for not carefully reading my earlier comments.
Good one! However, I invite you to pray with me so that your prediction doesn’t come to pass. We should get someone who should take that ministry to greater heights, building on Akin’s solid foundation. Please just say “Amen!” and it will be fine.
The headline was too sensational for the shallow content in this report.First and foremost, the Governor of Ogun State has not claimed the feat for himself or Yoruba but he is right to be proud of him.As a matter of fact he could not because the personality of Adesina is a national Icon.His tenure in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture revealed that he has no stomach for ethnic consideration,but a lover of performance.
As for the effort Kudos go to Not only our dear former CME,Dr.Ngozi O.Iweala,but also the Staff of Federal min. Of Finance.The staff of Ministry of foreign Affairs were simply wonderful,particularly those in African Union desks.
His base ,Federal Ministry of Agriculture.were just marvelous to outpouring their support to this genius.
A good product sell faster,Dr.Akinwunmi,Adesina put up a superlative appearance during the session in USA that made all his colleague contestants conceded in their mind but still put up a gallant fight.
What next?May his tenure be more beneficial to African countries
Let the man speak for himself. Read as follows:
AfdB presidency: Adesina thanks Jonathan, Buhari, others.
“I would like to give my special thanks to a few people in particular without whom this success would not have been possible: former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for his nominating me, his confidence, and his steadfast, enthusiastic support; President Muhammadu Buhari for his strong endorsement and rallying support for us; and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for her vital role and tremendous effort in delivering this successful outcome. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, as Nigeria’s Finance Minister, worked passionately for our campaign, and our success would have been impossible without her tireless work shepherding support among many of the esteemed Finance Ministers and Governors at the AfDB.
https://thenewsnigeria.com.ng/2015/05/31/afdb-presidency-adesina-thanks-jonathan-buhari-others/
Please deliver concrete results , not claims and statistics as was the case in our agric sector that you headed.
From his first week at the Agric Ministry, I identified Dr. Adesina as a sound, focused and no-nonsense leader who would outlive the FEC, that is, the GEJ Cabinet. I am happy and proud that we have competent guys like this technocrat. He is a mantle and role model for Nigerian youths. He will achieve greater feats. God bless him.
We will review and take appropriate action.