*Both reconcile as Adesina loses mom
There are indications that the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has been unhappy with President Muhammadu Buhari for being left out during the National Awards ceremony where he was not recognised, unlike three of his “colleagues” at the United Nations and World Trade Organisation.
Since then Adesina, an otherwise very patriotic and proud Nigerian, has boycotted some government events where he was expected to attend.
The Quest Times recalls that Buhari had in October conferred National Honours Award on 447 persons at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. Among those honoured were the Director-General of the WTO, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Deputy Secretary-General of the UN, Ms. Amina Mohammed and the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, Prof Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, who had served few years back as President of the UN General Assembly. All three were conferred with the Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON.
A top FG source indicated that for some reason, Adesina’s name was not recommended by the Special Duties Minister who compiled the list for the President’s approval. “Why the Minister, George Akume left out Adesina’s name is a mystery. Maybe it was an oversight, a very bad one,” said the source.
According to the National Honours Award Investiture 2022 Programme, 450 recipients were awarded, making the total number of Nigeria’s national honours awardees 5,341 since 1963.
However, a source told The Quest Times that Adesina felt left out by the Buhari administration especially since other Nigerians holding leadership positions in other international bodies like Okonjo-Iweala, and Amina Mohammed were honoured.
The source added that as a result of Adesina’s anger, he boycotted some key events organised by the Presidency even when he was in the country.
The source further stated that the AfDB President became critical of the Buhari administration, calling them out on the failure of some policy implementations.
The Quest Times recalls that Adesina had in October, after the National Honours Award event, instead of being physically present, decided to virtually attend the launch of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) in Nigeria.
At the SAPZs event, the AfDB President criticized Nigeria for tardiness in taking action to avert food crisis, expressing worry that the country was yet to sign and utilise a $244 million funds for emergency food production approved by the AfDB since July 2022.
Adesina said, “The African Emergency Food Production Facility provided $134 million to Nigeria, one of the highest levels of support across African countries.
“I would like to thank the Japanese International Development Agency (JICA) for co-financing this with an additional $110 million.
“That means we collectively made available $244 million for emergency food production in Nigeria.
“Your Excellencies, we must act faster, to avert a food crisis in Nigeria.
“It is worrying that these emergency funds approved since July 2022, for emergency food production, have yet to be signed for implementation by Nigeria.
“Yet the seasons wait for no one, while the hungry await timely help. There is need for greater action, responsiveness, and delivery.”
He lamented that with 65 per cent of the uncultivated arable land left to feed over nine billion people in the world by 2050 being in Africa, what Africa does with agriculture would determine the future of food in the world.
The story, he stressed, was no different in Nigeria, despite positive efforts that had been made to improve the agricultural sector, adding that food is now beyond the reach of many.
Citing the 2022 Global Hunger Index (GHI), he said Nigeria ranks 103rd among 121 countries facing hunger crisis in the world, noting that hunger in Nigeria cannot be justified.
However, a respite seems to have emerged in Adesina’s resentment over the National Awards exclusion with the passing of his mother which the President promptly condoled with him publicly.
Adesina, who was bereaved of his mother, Mrs. Eunice Adesina on Thursday, December 22, 2022, may have indeed now forgiven the Buhari administration.
Reacting to the passing of Adesina’s mother, President Buhari had in a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, condoled with the AfDB President, family members, friends and associates of the matriarch.
President Buhari said the good character of the former Minister of Agriculture, particularly his respect for elders, love for God and dedication to work, reflected proper upbringing, largely by his mum.
The President urged the AfDB President to take solace in the fact that his mom lived long to see his good work at national and international levels.
Responding to Buhari’s statement, Adesina on his official Twitter handle, said he was grateful for the kind and affectionate condolences on the death of his mother.
Adesina said, “I am most grateful Your Excellency President @MBuhari for your very kind and affectionate condolences on the death of my mother. She trained me to be all of what you said. She will be very happy with the kind report card you gave on my character.”