• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Ad Rates
  • Submit News
  • Contact Us
The Eagle Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Politics
  • Column
  • Business
  • Life & Style
    • Crime
    • R&D Health
    • Diet and Fitness
    • Intimacy
  • Entertainment
    • Photos
    • Fashion
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Politics
  • Column
  • Business
  • Life & Style
    • Crime
    • R&D Health
    • Diet and Fitness
    • Intimacy
  • Entertainment
    • Photos
    • Fashion
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Eagle Online
No Result
View All Result

Buhari’s applause for Akinwmi Adesina, by Femi Adesina

The Eagle Online by The Eagle Online
September 3, 2020
in Column, Featured
6 min read
0
Revelations from Farida Waziri’s new book, by Femi Adesina
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterWhatsApp

The strife is o’er, the battle done. But it was by no means easy. It took so much: tact, diplomacy, guts, deft footworks, prayers, yes, prayers, and so many other things. But today, we can noise it all around. Dr. Akinwumi Adesina is now elected for another five-year term as President of African Development Bank.

If America and some other world powers come after you, you have every right to shiver in the broiling sun. It’s like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo telling you to dismount from the horse of leadership in Nigeria. Only a Muhammadu Buhari can look him straight in the eyes, and say: No sir. And survive it.

Akinwumi Adesina fought the good fight for the AfDB diadem, won in brilliant fashion, and is already inaugurated for a second term in office. But it was not by a sudden flight. It took grit, guts and God.

How did President Buhari get the news of an Adesina victory in an election that we were very hopeful, but which nobody knew cocksure how it would go?

We were at the National Council of State meeting on August 27, 2020. Incidentally, it was the 35th anniversary of the military coup that ousted the then Major General Muhammadu Buhari from power as head of state. The man that struck in the palace coup was the Chief of Army Staff, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

Babangida ruled for eight years, and left in less than glorious circumstances. Buhari, overthrown and detained for over three years, coasted back to victory as civilian President 30 years later.

That day, on the 35th anniversary of the coup, IBB, as he is generally known, was in virtual attendance at the National Council of State meeting from his home in Minna, Niger State. And Buhari was in the Council Chambers, at the Presidential Villa, as the country’s number one man. What was going through the minds of both men? Only God, the omniscient, would know.

“If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow, and which will not. Speak then to me, who neither fears your favor nor your hate,” William Shakespeare had written in Macbeth. In 1985, when the putsch occurred, no one could look into the seeds of time, and declare that 35 years later, Buhari would be President, and Babangida would be attending a meeting with him as former leader. This world! It turns and turns in the widening gyre. May it always turn in our favour. Amen, somebody!

But we were talking about Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, so let’s get back to our subject.

That meeting was in progress when Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, made an interjection. He announced that voting had been concluded in the AfDB election going on in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, and Nigeria’s Adesina had won by a landslide, getting 100 per cent votes of regional members, and 100 per cent votes of non-regional members of the Bank.

We first didn’t know how exactly to respond in such solemn meeting that had former leaders like General Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida, Ernest Shonekan, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Goodluck Jonathan, many retired Chief Justices of the Federation, 34 of the 36 state governors, some serving Ministers, and many others in attendance. But President Buhari led the way. He broke the ice. He started clapping, applauding the election result all the way.

Others joined, and the applause lasted for a while. You could see the delight on all faces. The President had that smile that usually makes him winsome and youngish. And when the clapping quietened, he declared: “He deserves it.”

Yes, truly, Dr. Adesina deserves it. He had served well in the first term. He had done Africa well, and Nigeria was proud of him. He deserved a second term without hassles. But plenty hassles they gave him, and plenty hassles he got.
As elections approached, America suddenly decided it didn’t want Adesina as President again. It told him to get off the horse. Different things began to happen.

First, some whistleblowers leveled 16 allegations of unethical practices against the AfDB President. A panel was set up to probe him. Adesina wrote his defense in 250 pages. Not a line of it was faulted, and he was exonerated by the Board of Governors of the Bank.

America kicked. It called for an independent, external party to look into the findings of the panel. It was done, and Adesina came forth shining as gold again.

In the middle of the battle, indeed, when it was at its fiercest, and the continent and the rest of the world were under lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, President Buhari sent a presidential jet to fetch his illustrious citizen home.

RelatedPosts

100 minutes before Obasanjo, by Festus Adedayo

N35b arrears: Pensioners appeal to President Buhari

FG partners AfDB to roll-out special agro processing zones

That day, I was in attendance as Dr Adesina briefed the President. It was a full brief, with many different scenarios of how, why, when, where, painted. At the end, he asked for the support of his home country, as the election approached.

It was pin drop silence in the Diplomatic Room of the PresidentialVilla as Buhari responded. He recalled that the election for first term had been on May 28, 2015, a day before he got inaugurated into office in his first term.

“You were a Minister under the government of Peoples Democratic Party, and I am of the All Progressives Congress, but I didn’t because of that withhold support from you. As President-elect, I had written all African Presidents to support you in the election, they did, and you won. I’ll remain consistent because no one has faulted the step I took on behalf of Nigeria.”

The President promised that Nigeria would stand behind Adesina, pull out all the stops and back his campaign, and pay all funds necessary to AfDB, to enable Nigeria become eligible for all legitimate votes due to her.

And on August 27, the chicken came home to roost. The 81 member countries who constitute the Bank returned Adesina, in what now goes into history as landmark in the 56 years history of the Bank.

Some takeaways and lessons to learn from the saga. Ariwo ko ni music, empty barrels lo ma npariwo. Music is not noise. Empty barrels make the loudest noise. As President Buhari stood against the wishes of America on AfDB Presidency, you did not hear any noise, no gyrations, no paroxysm, no foul language. He just stated what he would do, and he did. What an impressive, trustworthy man! His word is his bond. Let Buhari tell you something, and you can take it to the bank. You can sleep, and snore if you wish. No shaking.

Buhari stood by his citizen, because that one comported himself decently in the first place. If Adesina had peradventure been tainted with the slightest whiff of corruption or any other unethical act, would Buhari have supported him? Never. This man of integrity would stand by all that is fair, just and decent at all times. He would stand for, and with all good Nigerians come hell or high waters. “This generation of Nigerians have no other country we can call our own. We must stay here, and salvage it together,” he had said long ago.

Again. Always build a coalition for resounding victory. If forces led by America had been able to divide African countries, and pulled some other non-regional stakeholders along, it would have been difficult for Adesina. But on the day he came, President Buhari had promised to reach out to all African leaders on his behalf. And the result was evident in the voting pattern. To win election in this country, particularly the Presidency, you need a broad coalition. That’s the way to go. Let our politicians imbibe this truth.

Also, refuse to be browbeaten. If Adesina was lily-liveried, the sheer weight of the opposition was enough to make him chicken out. When America sneezes, the rest of the world catches cold. And when it sneezes even now, what comes to your mind Is CORONAAAA, and you show a clean pair of heels. But Adesina stood his ground, backed by his President, the entire continent and some good people all around. No wonder it is said that the dog that is supported by a fearless hunter kills the monkey.

Many other lessons, but let’s identify just one more. Buhari is Muslim. Adesina is Christian. Buhari is Fulani. Adesina is Yoruba, an Ijebu man. But the fact that that they are both Nigerians is enough. Blessed be the ties that bind us. All those who trumpet and proclaim centrifugal, divisive sentiments should look for another business. This President has no time for them. He will do what is fair and just to you, irrespective of where you come from, your creed or religion. Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.

In his congratulatory statement to Adesina, President Buhari remembered to thank all who stood by Nigeria, in the continent and beyond. That’s the way to go. A grateful heart is divine. No wonder the AfDB President declared at his inauguration on September 1: “Today, a rainbow stretches from 81-member countries of the African Development Bank across the deep blue skies of Africa, with one message-the rain is gone. Gone are the dark clouds that held us down.”

True. I agree with Adesina. Just as I had agreed with reggae superstar, Jimmy Cliff, long ago:
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright) sunshiny day…

Bright days for Africa, for AfDB, for all people of goodwill across the world.

. Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity.

Tags: African Development BankAkinwunmi AdesinaFemi AdesinaMuhammadu Buhari
Share28Tweet18SendShare7

Related Posts

#ENDSARS, police impunity and Nero’s guitar, by Festus Adedayo

100 minutes before Obasanjo, by Festus Adedayo

April 18, 2021
Plateau United management imposes ‘No result, no pay’ rule on players, officials after home loss

N35b arrears: Pensioners appeal to President Buhari

April 17, 2021
All set for African Development Bank’s 54th Annual Meeting

FG partners AfDB to roll-out special agro processing zones

April 17, 2021
Breaking: Cross River APC can’t present candidates for Saturday’s polls – INEC

President Buhari now re-energised – APC

April 17, 2021
Kaduna abduction: Kidnappers demand N500m, parents appeal to FG

Kaduna abduction: Kidnappers demand N500m, parents appeal to FG

April 16, 2021
PFN to Buhari on insecurity: Your silence too loud, disturbing

Presidency should tell Nigerians true status of Buhari’s health — PFN President

April 16, 2021

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.




COVID-19 Update

Over 150 IDPs participate in UNESCO/TIG sports event

COVID-19: NCDC announces 80 new cases, total now 164,080

COVID-19: Nigeria has vaccinated over one million — NPHCDA

FG working hard to protect economy from external shocks – Finance Minister

COVID-19: Tokyo Olympics risk outright cancellation

Most Read

  • Pantami and Digital Economy projects in Nigeria, by Yushau A. Shuaib

    Why I supported Boko Haram, al Qaeda, Taliban — Buhari’s Minister

    260 shares
    Share 104 Tweet 65
  • EFCC hands over recovered N67.5m to victim in Enugu

    151 shares
    Share 60 Tweet 38
  • Pastor found dead inside his Abuja church

    138 shares
    Share 55 Tweet 35
  • Gunmen invade bank, hoist Biafra flags in Anambra

    195 shares
    Share 78 Tweet 49
  • Police speak on arrest of Deputy Commissioner of Police supplying arms to kidnappers

    260 shares
    Share 104 Tweet 65
  • Ogun teenage cultists on reprisal nabbed in Lagos

    118 shares
    Share 47 Tweet 30

Ease Slash

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.




https://theeagleonline.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/VID-20200510-WA0000.mp4

Chat with us now

Most Commented

  • Kano confirms 10 dead, 400 hospitalised from consumption of killer fruit juice

    Kano confirms 10 dead, 400 hospitalised from consumption of killer fruit juice

    96 shares
    Share 38 Tweet 24
  • NAF helicopters kill dozens ISWAP/Boko Haram fighters, destroy four gun trucks

    85 shares
    Share 34 Tweet 21
  • Nigeria’s Efe Ajagba brutally knocks out Brian Howard + Video

    73 shares
    Share 29 Tweet 18
  • How to get PayDay loan in one minute from Polaris Bank

    352 shares
    Share 142 Tweet 88

Latest

Breaking: Federal Government Colleges get nod to reopen + Resumption date, schedule

Union decries FG’s  selection of colleges of education principal officers

April 18, 2021
Okebukola launches App for teaching difficult Science concepts to mark 70th birthday

NUC boss leading efforts to produce revised curriculum for varsities

April 18, 2021
Hostility: Ghana extends olive branch to Nigeria

Don’t listen to secessionists, information minister tells Nigerians

April 18, 2021
Flood: Eight feared dead in canoe mishap in Delta community

Delta shuts down illegal orphanage, relocates 22 orphans

April 18, 2021
#EndSARS: Bagudu commends security agencies for relative peace

APC governors disown Obaseki over allegation of currency printing

April 18, 2021




  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Politics
  • Column
  • Business
  • Life & Style
  • Entertainment
  • Advert Rates
  • Contact Us

© 2020 Premium Eagle Media Limited.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Politics
  • Column
  • Business
  • Life & Style
    • Crime
    • R&D Health
    • Diet and Fitness
    • Intimacy
  • Entertainment
    • Photos
    • Fashion
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Advert Rates
  • Contact Us

© 2020 Premium Eagle Media Limited.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.