'How Ezekwesili changed World Bank's view of Africa'

Oby Ezekwesili

Nigeria's former Minister and outgoing Vice President of the World Bank for Africa, Oby Ezekwesili brought changes to the World Bank, which has transformed the attitude and approach of the bank and the world towards Africa, according to Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Empowered Newswire reports.
Said Kagame: "Oby has warned those who ignore Africa, that the African train has already left the station, you are either on it or risk being irrelevant," adding that she was always blunt and had a sense of urgency that the future of Africa is now.
In deed Africa's development themes took the center-stage in Washington DC on Wednesday evening where Ezekwesili was honored by the Rwandan President, who was joined by top US government officials, including a representative of President Barack Obama, others from the US Congress, more than 10 Ambassadors from African nations in the US led by Nigeria's Ambassador Ade Adefuye and World Bank officials.
Among several tributes paid, it was noted that Oby, as many fondly called her at the event, changed the tone of the dialogue between Africa and the global financing and development agencies like the World Bank. Ezekwesili herself said the tone was a problem and is now no more about the agencies teaching the continent what to do, but the tome is more of "two people solving a problem."
Other dignitaries and guests at the event included Pastor Ghandi Olaoye,Senior Pastor of the RCCG in the DC area who said the opening prayer, Ms Rosa Whitaker, President of The Whitaker Group who moderated the event at the Woodrow Wilson Center, Steve McDonald who joined her in that role and a notable Nigerian businessman in Washington DC Mr Ralph Osamor, the founder of Amor Protection Services in the US capital, among several others.
According to Kagame, Ezekwesili ensured that the World Bank "worked with Africa and not worked for Africa," and prepared the bank for the challenges ahead building trust between the bank officials and African leaders.
Showering praises on the former Nigerian Minister who used to be called Madam Due Process in her earlier days with the Obasanjo presidency, Kagame noted that not only does he trust Ezekwesili but also regarded her as a sister, even a 'Rwandan'.
Recalling a meeting between the two of them to discuss Rwandan and African development, Kagame disclosed that having noticed his impatience and annoyance at some of the problems on the ground, Ezekwesili actually advised him "as a sister to a brother," to calm down, holding my hands.
Detailing the story further, Kagame said at first she asked Ezekwesili, "don't I have the right to be angry?", which Ezekwesili, whom she called Oby promptly validated but then "offered me other ways" to make the same point and advance on the development of the continent.
"According to him, "she used her position well and forcefully...declaring that global prosperity will expand if Africa grows and prospers.
Speaking on behalf of the Obama administration, the USAID Administrator, Dr. Rajiv Shah noted that the US government found out that the priorities they had agreed on, and the strategies adopted towards African development were the same ones that Ezekwesili set as Vice President of Africa Region in the World Bank.
One of such he said was the fact that Africa's development must be led by Africa and the strategy to work together with Africa to prevent the need for humanitarian assistance.
Shah who said he was representing the Obama administration at the event added that the US government admired Ezekwesili's role as Vice President at the bank, especially for her focus on agricultural development of the African continent.
According to the USAID administrator "it takes extra-ordinary people to inspire us to do great things. On behalf of the Obama 'family,' we wish you a good life going forward."
Responding to the several tributes including from Mr. Stanley Bergman, CEO of a US fortune 500 firm-Henry Schein, Chief Tony Elumelu, Dr. Kase Lawal, the African Diaspora and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ezekwesili expressed gratitude to God for the opportunities she has had.
According to her, "each time I travel to African nations, I felt like a citizen of that country. I see myself in those people some of whom are devoid of opportunities." She said it is the opportunities that people get or lack that makes all the difference.
"At the World Bank, my work is all about using everything the institution can boast of to create opportunity for those outside the opportunity sphere."