President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, on his election for a second term in office.
News of the re-election came at the Council of State meeting, which was attended by former heads of state, Senate presidents, governors, ministers, and senior
As Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, announced the good news, President Buhari led a round of applause and declared: “He deserves it.”
The president extended appreciation to the African Union for its endorsement of the AfDB president much earlier, and to shareholders of the bank who worked tirelessly to ensure the return of the visionary leader.
President Buhari believes Dr. Adesina’s versatility, experience at both national and international engagements, would be further deployed to energize the pan-African financial institution, urging him to remain focused and steadfast in pursuing the noble goals of making life better for Africans through various development plans already captured as the High 5s.
The president rejoiced with family, friends, and professional colleagues of Dr. Adesina over the re-election, while commending members of staff and Board of Governors of the AfDB for their consistent support for the former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and his management team.
Jonathan Congratulates Adesina
Similarly, former President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated Adesina over his re-election.
In a goodwill message to Dr. Adesina, the former president noted that the AfDB boss recorded significant achievements in his first tenure and urged him to do more to ensure that the impact of the bank’s development initiatives is felt across the continent.
“I congratulate Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina on his re-election as the president of the African Development Bank by the Board of Governors of the bank.
“I am proud of Dr. Adesina because he has remained consistent as a man of vision and considerable capacity; traits he generously put to use while serving as a key member of our administration’s economic team and minister of agriculture.
“His first term as President of AfDB brought about exemplary leadership, significant achievements and broken records, especially with the bank’s recent unprecedented capital increase by 125% to $208 billion,” the former president said.
PDP, Lawan Congratulate Adesina
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on Thursday congratulated Adesina on his re-election as president of AfDB.
The PDP said the re-election was not only earned but well-deserved in view of the competence and commitment Dr. Adesina has displayed in uplifting and promoting the bank’s operations since 2015, when he was first elected as president of the bank.
PDP, in a statement, by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Dr. Adesina has attracted praises in bringing his deep knowledge in economic development to bear on the bank’s primary functions of making loans and equity investments for the socio-economic advancement of Regional Member Countries (RMC).
In the same vein, the President of the Senate said Adesina’s victory unequivocally affirms the confidence and trust of the shareholders, management and staff of the bank in his leadership.
Lawan, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Ola Awoniyi, said the renewal of his mandate is an attestation to Adesina’s excellent performance as president, evident in the bank’s numerous developmental initiatives on the African continent.
“I am elated to convey the joy and pride of the entire National Assembly over the electoral acclamation for integrity, grace, substance and hard work.
“Your re-election should be an impetus for taking the continental financial institution to a greater height, realising that the reward for hard work is more work,” Lawan said.
Fayemi Congratulates Adesina…
Likewise, Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, congratulated Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina on his re-election.
Dr. Fayemi, in a message in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, hailed Dr. Adesina’s re-election, describing it as “well deserved’.
Fayemi, who is the chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), said Dr. Adesina’s re-election is an attestation to his dynamic and pragmatic leadership which has helped to reposition the bank.
He said: “This is great news for all lovers of development. It is a befitting reward for Dr. Adesina’s visionary leadership which has increased the growth and influence of the bank these past few years.”
Sanwo-Olu Congratulates AfDB
Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated the president of AfDB, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, on Thursday, said Adesina’s re-election is a testimony to his hard work, dedication and commitment to the growth and development of the Africa continent.
Sanwo-Olu, who described Adesina as a good ambassador of Nigeria and Africa, said the AfDB president deserved to be re-elected having distinguished himself during his first term in office as the head of the international organisation.
Commendations also came from the business community in Nigeria.
Ano Anyanwu, former Executive Director, Mainstreet Bank, congratulated Adesina for the giant strides he had achieved in the last five years as president of AfDB.
“Adesina has displayed to the world that there is more to Nigeria than vices attributed to it. He has shown the bright side of Nigeria with his leadership qualities.
“Adesina’s first term at the AfDB speaks for itself. His Hi5 revolution (Light up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Integrate Africa, Industrialise Africa and Improve the Quality of Life of the People of Africa) has been certified by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as being capable of achieving 90 percent of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs,” Anyanwu said.
To Cyril Ampka, an Abuja based financial analyst, “Every Nigerian should celebrate Adesina’s re-election. Despite the obstacles and opposition from high quarters, he survived. I wish him well.”
