Adesina sets agenda as AfDB president

The newly elected President of the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) Dr Akinwumi Adesina has assured shareholders of the bank of his readiness to build a new Africa to reduce the poverty level and foster regional integration for shared prosperity.

Shareholders of the AfDB are from African and non-African countries.

Together, Adesina said, they will “build a stronger and more prosperous Africa, with smart infrastructure, energy for all, a strong private sector as well as new economic opportunities that will deliver quality jobs and hope for millions of youths and women.

From rural areas to burgeoning cities, Adesina said he has seen vast opportunities for a greater and more inclusive Africa and hopes to build on the work of President Donald Kaberuka at the AfDB.

Adesina in a statement was particularly grateful to former President Goodluck Jonathan for nominating him, “his confidence, and his steadfast, enthusiastic support; President Muhammadu Buhari for his strong endorsement and rallying support for us; and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for her vital role and tremendous effort in delivering this successful outcome.”

He said “Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, as Nigeria’s Finance Minister, worked passionately for our campaign, and our success would have been impossible without her tireless work shepherding support among many of the esteemed Finance Ministers and Governors at the AfDB.

Besides, he said former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, former Vice President Namadi Sambo, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, worked determinedly to build support behind his candidacy among African leaders.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now