EditorPresident of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwunmi Adesina has publicly disclosed how former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar played critical role in his emergence as head of the continental bank in 2015.
The AfDB President in his acceptance speech during the award of an honorary doctorate degree to him by the Federal University of Technology Minna, said the former head of state reached out to President Muhammadu Buhari and his predecessor Presdent Goodluck Jonathan for strong support for his candidature.
‘’I am especially grateful to H.E. General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who took me under his wings and lobbied extremely hard for me when I was seeking election for President of the African Development Bank in 2015,’’ Adesina said.
According to Adesina, General Abdulsalami spoke with the then President-elect Muhammadu Buhari who in turn provided him with strong support. Abdulsami, he said, also reached out to President Jonathan and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to rally support behind him. ‘’You have been a key part of my success. I wish to use this time to acknowledge that publicly and thank you most sincerely. Your Excellency, I am grateful, Sir.’’
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