All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola
Tinubu, has said the re-election of Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina for
another term of five years as President of African Development
Bank is an affirmation of Africa’s confidence in his ability and
commitment to the development of the region.
Former Minister of Agriculture in Nigeria, Adesina was re-
elected last Thursday by the Board of Governors of the AfDB
Group at its 2020 Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Cote D’Vorien
capital.
In a passionate letter forwarded to Adesina at the weekend and
personally signed by him, Asiwaju Tinubu 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 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.”
