Adesina re-elected President African Development Bank

Nigerian Akinwunmi Adesina has been re-elected as the President of the African Development Bank (AFDB) for a second five year term, as endorsed by the board of the bank on Thursday ,during  the election at its annual meeting held via video link.

Penpushing reports that, a statement has it that, Adesina, who became President of the Abidjan-based bank in 2015, ran unopposed, and gained 100 percent of votes cast.

The Cote d’Ivoire’s Minister of National Planning and the chair of African Development Bank(AfDB’s) board of Governors, Niale Kaba announcing the results  said the bank stakeholders will give Adesina the necessary support needed to fulfil its mandate.

“I am delighted that the board of governors have re-elected Dr Adesina for a second term in office as president. As shareholders, we strongly support the bank and will give him all the necessary support to carry forward and implement his compelling vision for the bank over the next five years”, she said

Penpushing further reports that, Adesina earlier on Wednesday had pledged to reach out to and engage with stakeholders of the bank to ensure stability and progress and thanked all stakeholders.

“I would like to sincerely thank you all, our esteemed Governors, under the excellent leadership and wisdom of the Chairperson, Minister Niale Kaba, for joining hands to steady the Bank. I am proud of the African Development Bank and the strength of our governance systems’.

‘I am proud of each and every shareholder of the Bank who challenged and made us all better. Our experience has made us better and stronger. Our challenges, though difficult, have become our gain. But it’s not been easy… I will reach out… I will engage… We will heal…”

Penpushing also reports that Adesina expressed appreciation to shareholders for the collective trust, strong confidence and support, stressing that, “it is yet another call for selfless service to Africa and the African Development Bank, to which I will passionately devote myself, The future beckons us for a more developed Africa and a much stronger and resilient

‘African Development Bank Group. We will build on the strong foundations of success in the past five years, while further strengthening the institution, for greater effectiveness and impacts”, he emphasised

Penpushing reports that, Adesina earlier in the year, was in the eye of the storm over sundry allegations of misconduct, and in  a petition by the group of whistleblowers, he was accused of 20 breaches of the bank’s code of conduct but the bank found the allegations to be “frivolous”, but  was thereafter cleared of the allegations.