Nigeria got one over Donald Trump and co, as Akinwumi Adesina Emerged as the President of African Development Bank for the Second Time
Nigeria got one over Donald Trump and co, as Akinwumi Adesina Emerged as the President of African development bank for the second time. Akinwumi A. Adesina was recently re-elected to serve a second five-year term as the President of the African Development Bank Group (AFDB) by the Board of Governors of the Bank. The election took place electronically at the virtual 2020 annual general meeting of the bank. However, Akinwunmi Adesina’s reappointment at the helm of the 56-year-old bank is considered a formality as he is the sole candidate for the position.
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As a globally renowned development economist and a World Food Prize Laureate and Sunhak Peace Prize Laureate, Akinwumi Adesina has distinguished himself in driving a bold agenda to reform the bank and accelerate Africa’s development. He was first elected as President of the Bank on May 28, 2015.
While giving a speech at the AfDB’s annual meetings, Akinwumi Adesina formally requested a second term as president, declaring that he was “doing it with an acute sense of duty and commitment.”
“I do it to serve Africa and our bank, in an unbiased way, to the best of the abilities that God has given me,” he said, according to a statement issued by the bank.
Akinwunmi Adesina also mentioned that his first term as President of the Bank saw the implementation of the five strategic goals “High 5s” for Africa’s development.
“Five years ago, right here in Abidjan, you elected me president of the African Development Bank. It was a huge responsibility to shoulder. I promised that I would work tirelessly to accelerate Africa’s development. My vision focused on the High 5 priorities, was my commitment, my promise, my compass,” he said.
He further gave insights into the impact of his five years as the President of AFDB: 18 million Africans have access to electricity, 141 million people have benefitted from improved agricultural technologies for food security, 15 million people have access to finance, 101 million people have access to improved
transport and 60 million people have gained access to water and sanitation.
He also disclosed that the bank’s board of directors were able to launch support schemes to cushion the effects of the pandemic.
Announcing the results, Niale Kaba, Cote d’Ivoire’s minister of national planning, and the chair of AfDB’s board of governors said the bank stakeholders will give Akinwunmi the necessary support needed to fulfill its mandate.
“I am delighted that the board of governors have re-elected Dr. Adesina for a second term in office as president…As shareholders, we strongly support the bank and will give him all the necessary support to carry forward and implement his compelling vision for the bank over the next five years,” she said.
Congratulations to Akinwumi A. Adesina, we wish him more success.