The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), yesterday, gave their unalloyed support to the minister of agricultural and rural development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, in his bid to become the president of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The outgoing president of the union, Alhaji Garba Shehu, gave the union’s support in an exclusive interview to Leadership in Abuja on the premise of Adesina’s exposure and experience.

“If you consider his experience, exposure and what he has achieved as the minister of agriculture and his experience in international organisations where he has worked in the past, I would say he has been really equipped for the position.”

He noted that “the presidency is a good position that will augur well for the nation and the incoming government. I am happy that Nigerians have realised that even the president-elect has given him all the necessary support to ensure that he emerges. My prayer and hope is that he will emerge because I am sure that there will be a lot to be gained from that position,” he said.

Shehu, whose tenure as the president of the NUJ is coming to an end, tasked the president-elect and the incoming administration to ensure a free press and the safety of journalists towards a more vibrant democracy.

According to him, “There is need for the incoming government to appreciate the contributions of the media in democracy, especially at this material time. The media has done absolutely well and I always insist that if there has been any profession that had been doing very well towards the sustenance of democracy, it is the media.”