The African Public Relations Association (APRA) will frown at any
undue interference in the ongoing investigation of the President of the
African Development Bank(AfDB) Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina. Rather it insists
that due process must be followed.
President of the association, Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya on behalf of
the Executive Council made this known in a letter to the chairperson and
board of AfDB.
In the letter, Badejo-Okusanya clearly stated the position of APRA bearing in mind the key objectives of establishing AfDB
“Without prejudice to previous, on-going or future investigations
at the bank, we insist that they must all follow the extant rules of the
bank. APRA will frown at undue influence outside the bank’s established
channels. As an African institution, albeit
with some non-regional stakeholders, AfDB must solve its problems
within the context of Africa which is the principal stakeholder” it
stated
It went further to add that “APRA as the self appointed reputation
drivers for Africa, with a strong pro Africa vision, believes that it is
in our collective interest and integrity, that one of the strongest
reputation assets of the continent, the AfDB,
is not sacrificed on the ‘alter of international politics”
APRA noted that for four years running , the AfDB received
triple-AAA ratings from four major global agencies, which is
incontrovertible proof that the institution is moving the continent
forward and fulfilling its mandate.
The letter cited, AfDB’s establishment of regional offices that has
brought the bank’s impact closer to Africans. This it considers a
clear positive. Part of the bank’s achievements also listed by the
association, is the up-shoot in its loan income from
$563million in 2015 to $803million in 2017. APRA placed on record that
these achievements were under the administration of Dr. Adesina, a clear
testament to his vision and exemplary leadership.
The letter ended by urging the chairman to take objective decisions
with a ‘keen eye on history’, while APRA continues to monitor
developments at the bank.
APRA is the umbrella body for the practice of public relations in
Africa with a mandate to drive the continent’s positive narrative.
