Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the President, African Development Bank (AfDB) has been nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari to seek a re-election for second term.
The former Nigerian minister of agriculture was elected President of AfDB in May 2015.
He said at an event on Sunday in Lagos, that, “in my four years as President,
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.
“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.’’
Akinwunmi confirmed his nomination for re-election for a second term, saying that, “Nigeria has invested so much in me’’.
As former Minister of Agriculture, he said: “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 former President Goodluck Jonathan and President Muhammadu 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.’’
He mentioned former presidents and heads of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, as those who ran a spirited campaign for his election as President of AfDB in 2015.
“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.
“I am proud of all my staff and the Board of Directors whose hard work and relentless support have helped make this happen.
“Nigeria again is giving me air in my lungs, to keep on climbing.
He thanked President Buhari immensely for nominating his for e-election for a second term.
