President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated Akinwumi Adesina for a second term as the president of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Okay.ng understands that the Adesina disclosed this while speaking at the Hallmarks of Labour Foundation event in Lagos, on Sunday, October 7.
Delivering his speech at the event, Adesina said: “I wish to immensely thank and appreciate President Buhari for nominating me for a second term for re-election as President of the African Development Bank and for being such a wonderful champion and supporter of my re-election.
“The highest honour for me, of which I have such great pride, is that I was born a Nigerian. From the moment that I came out of my mother’s womb, the breath that I took was the air of Nigeria.
“Powering my lungs, Nigeria’s air eventually became the driver of all I would do, become and be most proud of in life.
“A number of years ago while working at the Rockefeller Foundation in New York, a colleague took a keen interest in me and my career, and kind-heartedly suggested that I take up US citizenship.”
The AfDB President added: “Nigeria has invested so much in me. When asked by 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, President 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, including from our former presidents and heads of state, General Abdusalam, General Yakubu Gowon, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former Vice President 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, given 9 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.”
