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Tag: Adesina

  • Buhari excited as AfDB board passes vote of confidence on Adesina

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commended President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Nigeria’s Dr Akinwumi Adesina, over the clean bill of health given him by Board of Directors of the financial institution.

    The president made his feelings known in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Thursday.

    President Buhari noted that a report dated May 5, 2020, signed by Niale Kaba, Chairman of the Bureau of the Board of Governors, indicated that Dr Adesina had been exonerated of allegations against him by whistleblowers.

    The allegations were thoroughly investigated by the Ethics Committee of the Board of Directors, and a recommendation made to Governors of the African Development Bank, and African Development Fund.

    “On the basis of the results contained in the report of the committee, I am of the view that we should adopt its conclusions by declaring that the President is totally exonerated of all the allegations made against him,’’ the report by Kaba indicated.

    According to President Buhari, Adesina has served the African continent well, and has made his motherland proud.

    He wished him greater successes in the position of responsibility he occupies.

  • I am saddened by Abba Kyari’s death — Adesina

    The President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, says he is saddened by the death of Malam Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Adesina said this in his verified Twitter handle on Saturday.

    Kyari, who died Friday night, had tested positive for COVID-19, a pandemic currently ravaging the world.

    “My thoughts and prayers are with his family. I commiserate with the president Buhari.

    “May God comfort you and the entire government and may his soul rest in peace ,” Adesina said.

  • COVID-19: AfDB President, Adesina seeks suspension of debts for low-income countries

    President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina is advocating the suspension of debts owed by low-income countries in view of “these fast-moving and uncertain times.”

    Adesina, reviewing the possible impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on developing countries, said that the crisis demands that “we must put lives above resources and health above debt.”

    “Developing economies are the most vulnerable at this time. Our remedies must go beyond simply lending more. We must go the extra mile and provide countries with much-needed and urgent financial relief — and that includes developing countries under sanctions,” he said in a statement yesterday.

    He added: “These are very difficult days, as the world faces one of its worst challenges ever: the novel coronavirus pandemic. And it seems almost no nation is spared. As infection rates rise, so does panic across financial markets, as economies drastically slow down and supply chains are severely disrupted.

    “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. As such, it can no longer be business as usual.

    “Each day, the situation evolves and requires constant reviews of precautionary measures and strategies. In the midst of all this, we must all worry about the ability of every nation to respond to this crisis. And we must ensure that developing nations are prepared to navigate these uncharted waters fully.

    “That’s why I support the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ urgent call for special resources for the world’s developing countries.”

    Adesina added: “Today, the already stretched systems as noted in the 2019 Global Health Security Index will find it difficult to face up to a clear and present danger that now threatens our collective existence.

    “Only those that are alive can pay back debts. Sanctions work against economies but not against the virus. If countries that are under sanctions are unable to respond and provide critical care for their citizens or protect them, then the virus will soon “sanction” the world.

    “That’s why I also strongly support the call by the UN Secretary-General that debts of low-income countries be suspended in these fast-moving and uncertain times.”

  • 25 Christian groups attack Buhari’s aide, Adesina over comment on beheaded CAN chairman

    The Special Adviser on Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, on Saturday came under fire for attacking the Christians Association of Nigeria, (CAN).

    A coalition of 25 Christian Non-Governmental Organisations asked Adesina to stop using his office to attack the leadership of the CAN: “if he cannot join them in condemning the ongoing Christian persecutions in the country.” Adesina, in his opinion titled, ‘Beheaded Adamawa pastor: CAN got it mixed up’ tackled the religious body for, according to him, insulting President Muhammadu Buhari.

    A statement jointly issued by the national coordinator of the Christian body, Bro Isaac Okonkwo, and the national secretary, Bro Garba Yohanna, said replied Adesina that he is not sincere with his words, adding that:

    “It is an open knowledge that terrorists and their kinsmen, Fulani herdsmen have turned many predominantly Christian communities into killing fields. This is too obvious to be disputed except to the insincere and mischievous minds like Adesina. While the genocide in Southern Kaduna, Benue, Plateau and Taraba States was at the peak, which had led to mass burials of the victims, Adesina was too busy travelling from Europe to America to say a word in defence of the victims and to sympathise with the bereaved. Instead, he was mandated to change the narrative from the Fulani herdsmen killings to farmers-herders clashes as if those people who were being killed were as armed as their attackers.”

    It went further: “Our attention has been drawn to an opinion written by Adesina, titled, “BEHEADED ADAMAWA PASTOR: CAN GOT IT MIXED UP” where Adesina thoughtlessly and gleefully spared no words in lashing out at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) which, technically speaking, he is a member as an elder in the Four Square Church. While we will not speak for CAN, we as concerned citizens in the body of Christ in Nigeria view his uncouth and untamed attacks as reminiscent of the counsel of the wisest man of all centuries, King Solomon, who says “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit” (Proverbs 26:4-5). The latter wisdom is applicable here.

    ”We note with great sadness that Femi Adesina, a Christian elder in the body of Christ, and a presidential aide, a journalist of no mean reputation, is now wearing the infamous crown as one of the staunchest defenders of the atrocious killings and maiming of Nigerians, especially Christians under the present administration. Ordinarily, Adesina should not deserve a rejoinder because he has chosen lucre over sincere burden of agony of antagonised and killed Christians which CAN bears in defending and justifying the daily slaughtering and dehumanisation of Christians in Nigeria, especially in the northern part of the country. But he should be rebuked for his pretension and mediocrity which betray genuine Christ-like character.

  • Boko Haram: Buhari’s aide, Adesina insensitive, lacks brain – Apostle Suleman

    Johnson Suleman, senior pastor and general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, has joined the list of Nigerians who have criticized Femi Adesina over the statement he issued to counter CAN’s message to President Buhari.

    Following the decapitation of Rev Indimi by Boko Haram, the Christian Association of Nigeria challenged the president to purge himself of the allegations of nepotism and religious favoritism.

    The Christian body also demanded a change in the leadership of the security forces and the release of Leah Sharibu and other captives with the Boko Haram terrorists.

    However, in a statement released by Femi Adesina on Friday, the presidential aide said the message of the Christian association hinted that the leadership of the Christian body still harbors some of the old narratives that have been discredited.

    Femi Adesina also said the Christian Body was acting like a political party and noted that their role was not to be “making snide remarks and statements”.

    On the demand for change in the leadership of the security forces, Femi Adesina said, “If the leadership of the security forces would be changed, it is a sitting President that has the prerogative. It will not happen when CAN begins to make such demand in what should be a sober condolence press statement. Don’t mix bias and sympathy. They don’t mesh.”

    However, the statement by Femi Adesina has received heavy criticism from Nigerians.

    Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode described Adesina as being “morally bankrupt” and Apostle Suleman labeled him as an “insensitive man” while reacting to the statement on Saturday.

    Johnson Suleman said: “Just saw the empty defence of Femi Adesina and his lashing CAN over the beheading of Rev Indimi. Such insensitive man is a presidential media aide?. Certain positions should be given to people who have heads, even if they lack brains, we can manage ‘just head’.”

  • Adesina knocks Bakare over call to manipulate, pick successor come 2023

    Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, says his principal will not handpick his successor in 2023.

    Speaking at a programme on Channels Television on Monday, Adesina said Buhari is interested in who succeeds him, but will not manipulate the process to favour anyone.

    The presidential spokesperson was reacting to a statement by Tunde Bakare, serving overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly (LRA), who urged the president to be involved in the choice of his successor in order not destroy his legacies.

    “By May 2023 God willing he would have finished his second term as president, he would not have stood for another term and he will be exiting. So, he has that at the back of his mind,” Adesina said.

    “Pastor Bakare said he should be interested in who succeeds him, yes I’m sure the president will be interested in who succeeds him but he will not manipulate the process, to pick a successor.

    “The president will not pick a successor. We know him, he is not somebody like that. Will he be interested in the process? Yes, he will. He will ensure that there is a free, fair and credible election; that nobody will come to use money and resources to bamboozle his way into the leadership of the country. It will not happen. The president will ensure free, fair and credible process; but to handpick a successor? No, he will not do that.”

    Adesina said Buhari will not hand “Nigeria over to those who will take her back or hand Nigeria over to looters once again.

    “One thing that is clear is that the president will do whatever is needful before the next set of general elections. Early enough is relative but the president will do whatever is needful,”he said.

  • Nigeria would’ve been better if Buhari’s military rule in 80’s lasted longer – Adesina

    Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, says Nigeria would have been better if President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime in the 80’s lasted longer.

    This was contained in his article on Tuesday titled ‘PMB at 77: ‘Please tell Baba we are with him all the way’.

    The piece was written to mark the president’s birthday on December 17.

    Adesina noted: “I have followed Buhari since he was a military ruler, when I was an undergraduate, and if that regime had lasted for longer, Nigeria would not be in the doldrums that she found herself. It was a tough administration, but which was leading us on the right path. Till forces of reaction struck, and we were back to worse than square one.

    “I know many people who started with us in the Buhari camp, but who are now on the other side. Some were lured away by the garlic, cucumber, onions and leeks of Egypt, while some others jumped ship because of the color of the currency they saw. Some others, who expected quick fixes, are now singing the Lord’s song in a strange land.

    “Buhari is not a thief. Can you say the same of many past leaders in this country? No, you can’t. I’m not saying they’ve all been light fingered, but we know those who served us honestly and those who stole the living daylights out of the country. They and their confederates.

    “We know people who were worth only thousands when they got into leadership positions in this country. But they came out in obscene wealth. In other words, they went not to serve the country, but themselves. And here is Muhammadu Buhari, a man who wants nothing from Nigeria, but who has come to empty himself in the service of the country.

    “President Buhari is not a thief, and he cannot vouch for you if you are tarred with the brush of corruption. You will simply be on your own. There is the jaded talk of the anti-corruption war in the land being selective. Well, those who say that are merely operating from a mindset.

    “No matter who you are, however, close you can be to him, when it comes to corruption, this President speaks up for no one. That is why the anti-corruption agencies are making conquests. He tele-guides them in no way.”

  • Photos: AfDB President, Adesina wins African of the Year award

    African Development Bank President Dr Akinwumi Adesina received the African of the Year Award from the All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA™), Thursday night, in recognition of his bold leadership and the innovation of the Africa Investment Forum which “opened up billions of dollars of investment into the continent.”

    The ninth edition of the awards, organized by AABLA™ in conjunction with CNBC Africa, seeks to honour leaders who have contributed and shaped the African economy.

    The Africa Investment Forum (https://AfricaInvestmentForum.com/), inaugurated in 2018, has been a trailblazer in tilting investments into the continent. The second edition of the Forum which was held in Johannesburg, South Africa ended on 13 November. It was attended by over 2,000 delegates and secured investor interest worth $40.1 billion – up from $37.1 billion the previous year.

    “It is indeed a great honour,” Dr Adesina said in remarks during the exclusive gala dinner held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, at which the awards were announced. Adesina added that he was overwhelmed to follow in the footsteps of his “big brother” President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, who won the award in 2018. “My heartbeat is to serve the people of Africa,” Adesina said.

    Adesina, second right in back row and other award winners

    The event was attended by an A-list of business leaders, government representatives including David Makhura, Premier of Guateng Province, who gave the opening address. The event also attracted some of South Africa’s leading personalities. Vibrant music was provided by The Muses, a south African all-female string quartet and “Dr Victor And The Rasta Rebels.”

    The awards are decided by a jury of continent-wide judges led by Sam Bhembe, CNBC Africa Non-Executive Director, following evaluation of a shortlist of finalists to determine the overall category winners.

    Bhembe said the award reflected how the winner would “shape the future of the African continent,” and that the winner would brace the cover of a special edition of Forbes Africa.

    In other categories of the 2019 awards, Nigerian Co-Founder of Kobo360, Obi Ozor won Young Business Leader of the Year; Naspers CEO: South Africa, Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa took the Business Woman of the Year award; while Nedbank, won the Company of the Year award.

    Adesina dedicated his award “to the people of Africa who inspire me… I do not work alone.” He also said it was very rewarding to be at the helm “of an organisation that paves the way to progress.”

     

  • Buhari nominates Adesina for re-election as AfDB President

    President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated Dr Akinwunmi Adesina for re-election as the President of African Development Bank (AfDB).

    Akinwunmi, while speaking at an event in Lagos on Sunday, commended Buhari for nominating him for re-election for a second term as president of the bank.

    According to Adesina, Nigeria has invested so much in me.

    “When asked by former 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, 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.

    “This included our former presidents and heads of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and 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.

    “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.

    “I am proud of all my staff and the Board of Directors whose hard work and relentless support have helped make this happen.

    “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. Nigeria again is giving me air in my lungs, to keep on climbing.

    “I wish to immensely thank and appreciate President Buhari for nominating me for e-election for a second term as President of the African Development Bank and for being such a wonderful champion and supporter of my re-election,’’ Adesina said.

  • UN appoints Dangote, Adesina, 25 other global leaders to combat malnutrition

    UN appoints Dangote, Adesina, 25 other global leaders to combat malnutrition

    The United Nations has appointed Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Group, and Akinwunmi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank, as part of 27 global leaders to combat malnutrition across the world.

    The appointment was made by António Guterres, the secertary-general of the United Nations, as part of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement committed to fighting malnutrition in all its forms.

    According to a statement released by SUN to this effect, the leaders will meet on September 24 to take a decision on the continuation of the SUN Movement into its third phases (2021-2025).

    The leaders will also make commitments to achieve its objectives – looking toward the 2020 Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit.

    One in three people suffer from malnutrition the world over and 149 million girls and boys are stunted, a trend the group is set up to stop and reverse.

    The 27 people appointed to the group are:

    • Akinwumi ADESINA (Nigeria),
      President, African Development Bank
    • Aliko DANGOTE (Nigeria)
      Chairman and CEO, Dangote Group
    • Manal AL ALEM (Jordan), Chef
    • Reem Ebrahim AL-HASHIMI (UAE),
      Cabinet Member and Minister of State for International Cooperation
    • Mercedes ARÁOZ FERNÁNDEZ (Peru),
      Vice-President, Republic of Peru
    • Inger ASHING (SWEDEN),
      CEO, Save the Children International
    • Cherrie ATILANO (Philippines),
      Founder and CEO, Agrea Agricultural Systems Internaional Inc.
    • Alicia BÁRCENA IBARRA, (Mexico)
      Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
    • David BEASLEY (USA)
      Executive Director, World Food Programme
    • Martin CHUNGONG (Cameroon),
      Secretary General, Inter Parliamentary Union
    • Josefa Leonel CORREIA SACKO (Angola),
      Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union Commission
    • Annette DIXON (New Zealand)
      Vice President Human Development, World Bank
    • Chris ELIAS (United States of America)
      President of Global Development, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    • Shenggen FAN (China),
      Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute
    • Henrietta H. FORE (USA)
      Executive Director, UNICEF and Chair of the SUN Movement Lead Group
    • Sophie HEALY-THOW (Ireland),
      Youth Leader
    • Daniel KABLAN DUNCAN, (Côte d’Ivoire),
      Vice President Côte d’Ivoire
    • Monica Katebe MUSONDA (Zambia),
      Founder and CEO, Java Foods
    • Jakaya KIKWETE (Tanzania)
      Former President United Republic of Tanzania, Kikwete Foundation
    • Shinichi KITAOKA (Japan),
      President Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
    • Maryam MONSEF (Canada),
      Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality, Canada
    • David NABARRO (United Kingdom),
      Sustainable Development Facilitator, 4SD
    • Sania NISHTAR (Pakistan),
      Founder and President, Heartfile Foundation
    • Inia SERUIRATU (Fiji),
      Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fiji
    • Feike SIJBESMA (The Netherlands),
      CEO, Royal Dutch DSM
    • Gunhild Anker STORDALEN (Norway),
      Founder and President, EAT Foundation
    • Gerda VERBURG (The Netherlands),
      UN Assistant Secretary-General and Coordinator of the SUN Movement