By Grace Samuel
The outgoing Director General of Nigeria Country Office, African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Mr. Lamin Barrow has described Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, as a remarkable achiever of developmental projects.
He said this at a send-off dinner hosted in his honour by the staff of AfDB in Abuja on Thursday.
The colourful event was graced by the President of ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray; the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Hon. Umar Usman Kadafur, and representative of Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.
Present at the occasion were Alhaji Umar Ibrahim, former Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation; Alhaji Mustapha Bintube, Chairman, Jaiz Bank Plc; Honorable Munir Dan Agundi; Ambassador Rabiu Dagari, DG, Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Other guests include Mr. Tony Okpanachi, MD/CEO, Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN); Haruna Musa, MD/CEO, Jaiz Bank Plc; Mr. Usman Gur Mohammed, former MD, TCN; Mr. Abba Umar Ganduje, ED, Technical Services REA; and Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of NatureNews, Aliu Akoshile.
Also, in attendance were top officials of the Bank, including Dr. Oyebode Oyetunde, Executive Director for Nigeria, AfDB, and a pillar of support, Madam Lola Visser- Mabogunje.
Speaking on the developmental project worth $1.44 billion which AfDB has funded in Nigeria, the outgoing DG said he was plesantly surprised by the quantum of projects Gov Zulum executed in Borno despite the security challenges he was also tackling.
Said Barrow: “Governor Zulum is very hands-on. I was impressed by the passion and commitment he exhibited in trying to make an indelible positive impact on the life of his people.
“Borno is always in the first position, registering remarkable achievements because the state is blessed with a visionary, dynamic, and selfless leader who has tremendous energy for project implementation.
Mr. Barrow, who expressed appreciation to the government and people of Nigeria for the support extended to him in the last four years, said he always felt at home having had his undergraduate studies at Nigeria’s premier university, the University of Ibadan.
He attributed his successful tenure in Nigeria to the visionary leadership of the AfDB Group President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, as well as the wonderful cooperation of the headquarters’ executives and Nigeria office staff.
Mr. Barrow, who was flanked by his wife, requested that the same support be extended to his successor when he resumes, adding that AfDB is committed to an all-inclusive infrastructural transformation across Africa.
Earlier in his remarks, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray expressed delight at the wonderful cooperation the Commission had enjoyed from the bank, especially since Mr. Barrow’s assumption of office four years ago.
He urged the outgoing DG to deepen the cordial relationship with ECOWAS, especially as he takes on the new role of the Bank’s DG for West Africa.
Also speaking at the occasion, Deputy Governor of Borno State, Hon. Umar Usman Kadafur said the State Government cherished the support it received from AfDB, which was facilitated by Lamin Barrow.
Hon. Kadafur urged the outgoing DG to sustain his support for Nigeria and Borno State in particular, adding that the State Governor is also planning to host him in Maiduguri before he leaves Nigeria
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia, who was represented, thanks Mr. Barrow for maintaining open door policy and providing exemplary leadership based on genuine desire to spread infrastructural developed in Nigeria.
Mr. Lamin Barrow was recently elevated from Country DG to Regional Director General.
In his new role, he will oversee 14 West African countries and operate out of the AfDB headquarters in Abidjan, Cote Divoire.
