Adodo Osewengie
A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Prudent Youth Association of Nigeria (PYAN) has called on the President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, to join the Presidential race to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
PYAN made the call in Abuja on Sunday, where it stated that Nigeria is in dire need of an intelligent young man with a proven track record of excellence in academics and career to reposition the fortunes of the nation for good.
In a statement made available to newsmen by the group’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Haruna Awode, it rebuffed the popular belief being peddled by some sets of Nigerians that the country needs someone who is a political colossus noting that Adesina with the technical know-how, is the right man to give Nigerians the sterling leadership they yearn for.
“At the moment, Nigeria do not just need people with political exposure to lead as president; the exalted office should be occupied by a young, vibrant, intellectual with experience and focused mind.
“Academically, Adesina has a track record of brilliancy. He was the first to graduate with a First Class Honours, bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics, from the Obafemi Awolowo University), Nigeria, in 1981.
“He holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D in Agricultural Economics (1988) from Purdue University, USA, where he won the Outstanding Ph.D thesis award for that year.
PYAN noted that going by the qualifications, academic records and performances by the AfDB President, it allays the fears and skepticism of none performance if voted into power.
The groups extolled the values of the Adesina who they said did remarkably well in the reform of Nigeria’s agricultural sector by practically exhibiting his experience, sound knowledge and brilliance.
“He has demonstrated that his outstanding academic performance was not a fluke, as he has applied this in meeting the social and economic needs of humanity at both national and international stages.
“The globally renowned development economist, scholar and agricultural development expert, with more than 30 years of international experience has rather proved his worth at every given opportunity.
“It is on record that as the minister of agriculture in Nigeria from 2011-2015, Adesina reformed the sector.
“Within his four years as a minister, Adesina changed agriculture in Nigeria from that of subsistence to a viable business through private sector-led investments, while he also expanded the country’s food production.
“Under his tenure, Nigeria ended 40 years of corruption in the fertiliser sector by developing and implementing an innovative electronic wallet system, which directly provides farmers with subsidised farm inputs at scale using their mobile phones.
“Within the first four years of its launch, this electronic wallet system reached 15 million farmers, dramatically transforming their lives.
“The electronic wallet system has now gone global and is currently being implemented in several African countries.”
“The High 5s are to: Light up and Power Africa; Feed Africa; Industrialise Africa; Integrate Africa; and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa.
“These focused areas which are essential in transforming the lives of African people and therefore consistent with the United Nations Agenda on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in five years have touched 335 million!”
“That he was on Aug. 27, reelected as President of the AfDB Group with 100 percent votes of both regional and non-regional shareholders — the first of such in the history of the bank since 1964, speaks volumes about his personality.
“Looking at his profile and records of achievement, we believe that God has deposited great potential in this scholar and globally renowned economist to further contribute to the development of Nigeria come 2023.
“This is why we are beckoning on him to consider this gesture from Nigeria youths, urging him to run for the office of the president in 2023.
“On our part, we will engage with all stakeholders, including youths and women organisations, CSOs and people at the grassroots, to mobilise support for Adesina to come and reform Nigeria for the benefit of our nation and future generation.
“We are hopeful that he will consider this as a beckon on him not just to further serve Nigeria but humanity in general because if Nigeria is reformed the effect on other countries of the world will be unimaginable”, it added.
