Saluting a development pioneer- tribute to Adebayo Adedeji at 80

Abstract

Statement by Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA at the ACDESS Millennium International Symposium High-Level Policy and Strategy Seminar. Mr. Janneh, on his remarks highlighted that, The United Nations Intellectual History Project with which Professor Adedeji is closely associated titled its briefing note on the Commission as “Economic Commission for Africa: Fighting to be Heard”. This may well be true as a general statement of fact but there can be no doubt that ECA’s voice was heard loud and clear under Professor Adedeji’s leadership. This is evident not only from his personal profile but also because of the central message emanating from ECA activities at the time about the importance of self-reliance and African ownership of its development agenda. ECA has tried to bring a different perspective to bear on strategies for African development.