By Nkechi Eze
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, CON, has praised the immediate past President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Professor Benedict Oramah, for his unwavering patriotism and transformative leadership, which have significantly contributed to Nigeria’s economic recovery and development.
Akume gave the commendation on Tuesday when he received a delegation from Afreximbank, led by the Managing Director of Export Development, Mrs. Oluranti Doherty, and the CEO of the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), Mr. Brian Deaver, during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.
In an official statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, the SGF described Prof. Oramah as a visionary leader and selfless patriot whose intervention came at a critical time when Nigeria was facing serious economic challenges and struggling to access credit facilities from other financial institutions.
“Prof. Oramah has done a lot to impact the people and government of this country, Africa, and beyond. Since the day I met him, we became very close. Other financial institutions refused to extend credit facilities to Nigeria on the ground that we had reached our allowable limit, making it increasingly difficult for the country to import vital goods for our people. But Prof. Oramah came to the rescue. He helped restructure the debts owed to the bank by the government and went further to extend more credit facilities. So, in a way, he contributed immensely to the rehabilitation of the Nigerian economy,” Akume stated.
The SGF also lauded Oramah’s efforts in facilitating the establishment of the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), which he described as one of the best hospitals on the continent. According to him, the state-of-the-art medical facility, equipped with cutting-edge technology and staffed with highly trained medical professionals, is a monumental achievement and a testament to Oramah’s dedication to national and continental development.
He further noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s conferment of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), the country’s second-highest national honour, on Prof. Oramah was a fitting recognition of his exceptional service to the nation and Africa at large.
In her remarks, Mrs. Oluranti Doherty stated that the delegation was at the SGF’s office to convey Afreximbank’s deep appreciation for the Federal Government’s steadfast support, particularly in the successful realisation and operationalisation of the AMCE in Abuja. She highlighted that the AMCE specializes in the treatment of cardiovascular, oncological, and hematological diseases and is a crucial part of Afreximbank’s broader health and trade development strategy.
She also acknowledged the SGF’s pivotal support in facilitating the establishment of the Afreximbank African Trade Centre in Abuja, which is set to become a strategic hub for trade and export development across the continent.
Doherty further noted that during Afreximbank’s recently concluded Annual General Meeting held in Abuja, the bank celebrated Prof. Oramah’s decade-long tenure and formally welcomed his successor, Mr. George Elombi. She expressed the bank’s gratitude to President Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for attending the event and for the honour bestowed on Prof. Oramah through the GCON national award.
