31st August, 2020
The National Leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Amhed Tinubu, has felicitated with Nigeria’s former Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, on his re-election as the President of African Development Bank, AfDB.
The former Governor of Lagos State said Adesina’s reelection is an affirmation of Africa’s confidence in his ability and commitment to the development of the region.
Adesina was re-elected for another term of five years last Thursday by the Board of Governors of the AfDB Group at its 2020 Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Cote D’Vorien capital.
According to a letter personally signed by Tinubu and forwarded to Adesina at the weekend he said: “By way of this letter, please accept my heartfelt congratulations over your election to serve a second five-year as President, African Development Bank at the recent 2020 Annual Meetings of the AfDB Group.
“Your unanimous re-election by the Board of Governors, coming after ill-defined attempts to block your continuance, shows that if we remain vigilant and true to the collective purpose of the economic progress of the African continent then fairness and justice will win out in the end.
“As a globally renowned economist, you demonstrated outstanding competence and professionalism during your first term. Your re-election was but an affirmation of Africa’s confidence in your ability and commitment.
“In your first term, you distinguished yourself by driving to reshape the Bank that it would be a more active catalyst for Africa’s development. You focused on five development priorities known as the High 5s: Light up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa.
“As AfDB President for another term, I urge you to continue in like manner. Continue to invest your cognitive abilities, immense skills and robust energy in the development of Africa.
“Given the exigencies of the present moment due to the global pandemic, you must put your knowledge and creativity into fullest use that we work towards creating more employment for the people of this continent and remove them from the grip of poverty and its attendant difficulties.
“The AfDB must be at the policy and intellectual vanguard as we seek ways to contain both the public health and economic challenges of COVID-19.
“For your re-election, we must also congratulate and applaud President Muhammadu Buhari and other present and past leaders in Africa who believed in you and worked assiduously for your success.
“This victory is not only yours, the AfDB group or Nigeria’s, it is victory for Africa itself. The continent deserves that our best and most able minds be able to serve and work for its betterment.
“I wish you an even more successful second term. May God be with you and may He help and guide use in the struggle against poverty and in our efforts to bring much-needed development to our continent and its people.
“Please rest assured of my highest regards always.”