ADDIS ABABA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and its entire staff mourn this week the passing of the institution's longest serving Executive Secretary, Professor Adebayo Adedeji, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 87.
As the ECA Executive Secretary from 1975 to 1991, Professor Adedeji of Nigeria, actively promoted the creation of regional initiatives on the African continent, including the Preferential Trade Area (PTA), which subsequently became COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa).
For over four decades, he was one of the foremost promoters of regional integration in Africa, said the current ECA Executive Secretary, Vera Songwe, on Friday.
"It therefore, goes without saying that we must credit the historical signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on March 21, 2018 to the influential leadership of Professor Adedeji," said Songwe, adding, "As we mourn this immense loss, we commit to honoring his legacy and continuing the work he started."
Describing Professor Adedeji as greatly respected for his leadership and contribution to changing the discourse of Africa's development agenda, Songwe said with the passing of Adebayo Adedeji, Africa has lost an icon and a visionary person.
"He was a visionary, a proponent of Pan-Africanism, a true icon, an outstanding scholar, thinker and activist, who was passionate about Africa's development, said Songwe, adding, "He will always be remembered for his unique contributions to the sustainable development of Africa."
In the early 1970s, as Nigeria's Minister for Economic Development and Reconstruction, he led the negotiations that gave birth to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), earning him the title, "Father of ECOWAS".
Songwe noted that his ardent belief in Africa's integration led to the development of the Lagos Plan of Action.
His contributions to regional integration are embodied in Africa's development framework, Agenda 2063, for the realization of "an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in international arena."
Adedeji vigorously advocated for a more integrated Africa, whose development foundation is based on national self-reliance and home-grown solutions.
He also worked tirelessly to reverse the adverse impact of the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) on economies and led the development of Africa's Alternative Framework to Structural Adjustment Programs for Socio-Economic Recovery and Transformation (AAF-SAP), which charted a new course for Africa's development.
"Professor Adedeji also supported efforts at democratization in Africa. The Arusha Declaration on the African Charter on Popular Participation in Development and Transformation in Africa of 1990 had ECA playing a major role under his leadership," said Songwe.
Moreover, in retirement, he continued to serve the African continent in various capacities, notably, as Chair of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Panel of Eminent Persons.
He continued to engage in debates and discussions on pathways and strategies for Africa's development, and in 2007, and was appointed as Chair of a panel by the African Union (AU) to audit the various organs of the AU and make recommendations, a responsibility that was discharged creditably well.
"Africa will miss, but fondly remember Professor Adedeji as an illustrious son, who gave his life, energy, passion and intellectual gift to the Continent," she said.
Various long-serving staff indicated that he was their inspiration for the delivery of flagship outputs, such as the Assessing Regional Integration publication and the African Governance Report.
Other notable achievements of ECA under his leadership include the Final Act of Lagos (1980).
His tenure at ECA saw the institution become a leading Pan-African platform and an intellectual think tank.
The Adebayo Adedeji Lecture Series, an annual discourse on contemporary issues that frame his vision, is a commemoration of his contribution to development on the African continent.
"We at ECA offer our deepest condolences to his family, to the Government, the people of Nigeria, as well as the people of Africa and to all who have been impacted by his life and grieve with us," said Songwe.
