President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina for re-election as the President of African Development Bank, AfDB.
This is as he ( Adesina) was on Sunday honoured with the Emeka Anyaoku Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding performance.
Speaking at the award ceremony on Sunday, Adesina thanked President Buhari for nominating him for re-election for a second term as president of the bank.
He acknowledged that Nigeria has invested so much in him.
His speech read in part: “When asked by former President Goodluck Jonathan to serve as Minister of Agriculture, it was duty calling me to the land of my birth.
“I served Nigeria to the very best of my ability. I thank God that Nigeria’s agriculture sector witnessed a much-needed transformation at the time.
“With the strong support of President Jonathan and the then President elect, Buhari, we campaigned very hard for the position of the President of the African Development Bank.
“It was a Nigeria effort, as all hands were on deck.
“This included our former presidents and heads of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Gen.
Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, and of course my dear indefatigable sister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who ran a spirited campaign for me.
“By God’s grace, I was elected President of the African Development Bank on May 28, 2015, exactly 24 hours after my term of office as Minister ended.
“The nation jubilated as I became the first-ever Nigerian to be elected President of the bank since its establishment in 1964.
“Once again, Nigeria gave me air in my lungs.
“At the African Development Bank, we have worked very hard.
“In my four years as President, we have connected 16 million people to electricity, provided 70 million people with improved agricultural technologies to achieve food security.
“We have also given nine million people access to finance from private sector companies, provided 55 million people with access to improved transport, and 31 million people with access to water and sanitation.
“In all, 181 million people have directly benefitted from our investments.
“I am proud of all my staff and the Board of Directors whose hard work and relentless support have helped make this happen.
“The African Development Bank has continued to
maintain its global AAA rating. Last year, the bank was rated the 4th most transparent institution globally.
“There is still much to do. We have gone some way climbing the steep mountainside of Africa’s development, yet there is still much way to go until we reach the mountaintop.
“Nigeria again is giving me air in my lungs, to keep on climbing.
“I wish to immensely thank and appreciate President Buhari for nominating me for e-election for a second term as President of the African Development Bank and for being such a wonderful champion and supporter of my re-election,’’ Adesina said.
Also in his acceptable speech following the Emeka Anyaoku Lifetime Achievement Award, Adesina insisted that recognition was never the expectation or endgame when one was passionate about his work adding however that “when one’s modest contributions and efforts are found worthy of honour, it is both a surprise and a delight.
“Recognition is always a down payment to do even more. So, in this regard, all I can humbly say is so help me God!
“I eventually became the driver of all I would do, become and be most proud of in life.”
