Prof. Adebayo Adedeji Was An International Statesman – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of Prof. Adebayo Adedeji, whom he described as “a patriotic Nigerian, economist, administrator, scholar and international statesman.’’

He said that Adedeji used his leadership of this pan-African institution to promote African development and was in the vanguard of intellectual efforts to find solutions to Africa’s developmental challenges from within the continent.

According to the president, Africa remains grateful to him for the intellectual effort to challenge and reverse the damaging Structural Adjustment Programmes imposed on the continent by conceiving the African Alternative Framework for Structural Adjustment Programmes (AAF-SAP).

“It is noteworthy that Prof. Adedeji was one of the first people to realise, as far back as the early 1980s, that environment, gender, and governance, which have now become common place in development discourse, were important for sustainable development in Africa.

“The extent of his commitment and contribution to these issues was demonstrated when he served in his latter years as the first Chairman of the African Peer Review Mechanism which gave Africa ownership of its own governance agenda.

“It will also be recalled with nostalgia that Prof. Adedeji was a leading exponent of Regional Integration in the continent,’’ he said.

The president also noted that during his tenure as Nigerian Federal Commissioner for Economic Development, the deceased successfully spearheaded the establishment of the Economic Community of West African States which became the template for regional integration arrangements across the continent.

He said: It has never been easy. Even our Holy Prophet (SWA) was never totally accepted in his lifetime. It was only after he had long gone, people saw the wisdom in his preaching and sacrifices. We, therefore, urge you not to relent in your efforts.

‘‘Therefore, it is pertinent for you to note, Your Excellency, that majority of us are with your government and would ensure a total support for you in your effort to return Nigeria to the path of greater progress and development.”