A Diaspora group has said that Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina’s outstanding performance as Minister of Agriculture and President of the African Development Bank (AfDP) was enough for him to join the 2023 presidential race.

The group, known as the Diaspora Support Group of North America and Europe, in a statement on Monday called on all Nigerians to demand united that Adesina join the race to become president.

The statement, signed by Dr. Tony Bello, Chairman and Founder of Shine Bridge Global Inc., Chesapeake-Virginia, USA, said Adesina stood out.

According to the group, President Olusegun Obasanjo, in a May 2, 2021 Vanguard post, flagged Adesina as the best person to serve as President of Nigeria in 2023.

“When Dr Adesina was given the opportunity to serve as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), he distinguished himself from the pack of ministers and his predecessors as a selfless servant to all the Nigerians.

“He worked tirelessly with his team to transform the mindset of millions of smallholder farmers and youth that ‘agriculture is a business, not a development program’.

“He has advocated for policy and institutional reforms that have attracted private sector investment commitments of over $5 billion into Nigeria’s Agricultural Transformation Program (ATA),” they said.

The group recalled that as Minister, Adesina worked with world political and economic leaders to mainstream Nigeria’s membership of the “G7 New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition – Nigeria Cooperation Framework”.

According to the group, this eventually led to the institutionalization of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group comprising 21 members of the management team.

“Adesina rose against all odds to wipe out what was then considered, prior to his tenure as an open secret, the widespread corruption in the fertilizer supply chain through the e-wallet system, the support for growth and improvement.

“He added over 20 million tonnes of food to the national supply chain and lifted millions of smallholder farmers out of poverty; we can go on and on,” they said.

The group said that after serving Nigeria as a minister, Adesina was now in his second term as AfDB president.

According to the group, it is not without fighting with US President Trump and the Secretary of the Treasury over the integrity of his character as the bank’s leader.

The group said Adesina had won the battle with unprecedented support for his re-election from all African presidents, including former Nigerian heads of state.

“Globally, Adesina has enjoyed recognition from world leaders, including the United States, Canada, France, United Kingdom and most recently the United Arab Emirates.

“Adesina recently spoke with the administration of President Joe Biden and his senior officials, including Vice President Kamala Harris, and the Secretary of the Treasury on climate finance, among other global economic challenges facing the Africa and Africans at home and in the United States.

“It is therefore not surprising that Obasanjo, a globally recognized leader in national and international politics, has gone so far as to nod to Adesina as one of the best prepared and suited to serve as President of Nigeria after the outgoing president. Buhari,’ they said.

The group added that as Nigeria’s political barometer, Obasanjo’s residence had become a hive for politicians and political groups seeking his approval.

They recalled that Obasanjo successfully identified and backed the candidacy of incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in 2011.

They also recalled that he identified the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2007, saying Obasanjo can be said to have a knack for knowing a winning horse.

The group said they had reviewed Obasanjo’s contributions and personal commitment to a better Nigeria and Africa and would not be surprised if he endorsed Adesina.

“This is one of the many reasons why we in the Diaspora support efforts to co-opt Adesina into the upcoming presidential race.

“Knowing Adesina, we are sure that his presidency would usher in a strong economic resurgence which, moreover, would end the drowning of our children on the high seas of Africa and Europe in their quest for a better life.

“When he was elected President of Nigeria, Adesina’s support of Nigerian youth and the #EndSARS movement was sure to transform our young people into successful entrepreneurs, future millionaires and billionaires of Africa through hard work, commitment and perseverance.

“Adesina would undoubtedly prioritize investments in national and food security, in infrastructure development to secure the lives and property of all Nigerians, in industrialization and in human capital development.

“Our youth unemployment would surely become a thing of the past under Adesina’s presidency; The empowerment of youth and women in real economic terms must include a safe and secure Nigeria, One-Nigeria where young people can once again dream of a better life free from the senseless and cowardly acts of banditry, insurgency and terrorism.

“Now is the time to vote Adesina President of Nigeria, it is a good time to deepen and rebuild the socio-economic and political foundations of our beloved country.

“Therefore, let us all now join hands with those who have identified and supported Adesina in Nigeria, at the AfDB, on the global stage, and more, including ours, President Buhari and all other former Presidents and Heads of – the State of Nigeria, to realize this dream,” they said.

They challenged voters to join with all detribalized political leaders, to work together and focus on harnessing the diversity of tribes, ethnicities, cultures, religions, genders and socio-classes. economies to rebuild a stronger and better Nigeria for all.

“We believe Adesina is the man of the hour, the selfless visionary leader with the ability and leadership attributes to garner national and global support to eliminate insurgency and banditry, terrorism and killings fools of innocent Nigerians in our own land.

“Together, let us join our hands to once again invite Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina to join in the nomination and campaign process that could lead to his emergence as the next President of Nigeria.

“Let’s just do it, together in unity of purpose, faith, hope and love, for in division we fall; but in unity of purpose, we are united and stronger. Surely we can do it, they said. (NOPE)

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