On the Go

EXTRA: Akinwumi Adesina gets ‘greatest honour’ of his life in Swaziland

BY Oluseyi Awojulugbe

Share

Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), says he got the greatest honour of his life on Friday.

Sharing his experience in a tweet, Adesina said he was allowed to dress like the king when he visited the Kingdom of Eswatini.

The kingdom, which is now known as Swaziland, is a country in southern Africa.

“King Mswati III of Eswatini gave me the greatest honour ever: to be dressed like the King and jointly march during the traditional royal Reed dance event. Thank you, Your Majesty,” he tweeted.

Advertisement

“Proudly African ??. Confident in Africa’s future”

Adesina, who is a one-time minister of agriculture, became the AfDB president in 2015.

Advertisement

He has since expressed his intentions to seek second term in office after his tenure expires in 2020.

“I will run as a candidate to complete the work we have started,” he told journalists at the closing press conference of the bank’s annual meeting in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

“I understand the responsibilities. I do not work for myself. I work with all of my body to fast track the improvement of this continent with the support of our donors.

“I am driven by Africa and it is not a chore for me. It is a labour of love so I am humbled when I see the trust placed in me to elect me as president of the bank.”

Advertisement

He is the first Nigerian to occupy the position.

This website uses cookies.