By Stanley Ugagbe
Amidst the ongoing issues involving the President, Akinwumi Adesina, the African Development Bank has suffered another setback as Jennifer Blanke, vice president for agriculture, human and social development has resigned.
According to a statement released by the bank’s corporate communications department which was obtained by the Nigerian Canadian News, Blanke’s resignation will be effective from July 4, 2020.
She said “I thank President Akinwumi Adesina for his strong leadership, guidance and support which have undoubtedly motivated and helped my team and I to play a key role in the transformation of the bank”.
“I feel privileged to have been given an opportunity to contribute to the bank’s agenda for accelerating Africa’s social and economic transformation.”
Delineating on the development, Blanke said her resignation is “purely for family reasons” and not related to an investigation into whistleblower allegations leveled against Adesina.
She said “I am leaving purely for family reasons to rejoin my family in Switzerland, after a very fulfilling time at the bank. I will miss the bank and the excellent team we have built. I will continue to strongly support the bank from wherever I am”.
Reacting on Blanke’s exit, Adesina said: “I have been delighted to work with Dr Jennifer Blanke over the past three and a half years. She has demonstrated genuine leadership skills and moved the needle on so many fronts, especially in the areas of food security, women’s financial empowerment, and job creation”.
“I wish her all the best and look forward to continued partnerships and engagement with Jennifer.”
It would be recalled that Blanke joined AfDB in early 2017 and has overseen a number of the bank’s key programs.
