TheCable

Olusegun Aganga, former minister of finance, is set to launch “Reclaiming the Jewel of Africa”, a book on his experience in and out of government.

The book, which serves as a blueprint for taking Nigeria and Africa from potential to prosperity, is set to be unveiled on July 24 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

According to a statement issued on Monday, President Bola Tinubu will be the guest of honour at the event. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is expected to give a keynote address. Former President Goodluck Jonathan would chair the occasion.

Speaking on the book, Aganga said the book contains recommendations requisite for Nigeria and Africa to take the needed leap to prosperity.

“This book is the culmination of my years of experience and passion for transforming Nigeria and Africa. It provides practical strategies and actionable steps for unlocking our economic potential and achieving lasting prosperity,” the former minister said.

“Nigeria is that jewel of Africa, and my lifelong goal for Nigeria is to achieve its true potential and be one of the world’s greatest and most prosperous countries. I have no doubt whatsoever that Nigeria has the potential to be really great. I am also persuaded that Africa as a whole is on the path to greatness.”

On his part, Thabo Mbeki, former president of South Africa, described the book as “a living manual for the renaissance of an eminent Africa country”.

The foreword of the body of work was written by Christopher Kolade, Nigeria’s former high commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Aganga was a two-term minister between 2010 and 2015 and was also the chairman of the World Bank and World Trade Organisation (MC8).

He is a chartered accountant with over four decades of experience, which led him to the post of managing director at Goldman Sachs in London and senior director at Ernst & Young.

The 68-year-old is the founder of the Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI) and an advisory board member of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.

He is also currently the chairman of Leadway Pensure PFA in Nigeria.