By Aondowase Agabi
Mr. Jackson Osana Odonye, a celebrated economist and former Alternate Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been tipped for a ministerial portfolio in the much anticipated President Tinubu’s led new Federal Executive Council.
Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) administration has promised Nigerians an all inclusive government that represents all shades of interest, cutting across party politics, ethnic, religious and gender identities. President Tinubu is also a firm believer in technocrats as he has demonstrated this time and again.
His renewed hope agenda is premised on the use of competent technocrats to deliver on the craft of nation building.
An economist and financial analyst David Akwu said said the choice of Odonye Osana Jackson, ex-IMF technocrat from Nasarawa State is no doubt a fit for purpose especially at this time of fiscal crisis.
“The President would find him a discovery because of his industry experience, and the quest to aggregate a team of experts in the new administration that will man or superintend key sectors of the economy, head-hunted within the country and the diaspora” he stated further.
He noted Odonye presently consults in the fields of finance and development economics for governments, notably in developing and emerging economies, having reached the pinnacle of his career as Alternate Executive Director at the IMF, as well as Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Also commenting, Alh. Mohammed Tijani an ex-banker also said stakeholders routing for the Nasarawa born to function in Tinubu’s government because of his experience in international finance.
“With Odonye’s expertise in monetary and fiscal policy, the Tinubu administration will no doubt find him useful in helping to re-oxygenate and rejuvenate the nation’s comatose economy” he noted..
A celebrated Washington DC based Senior Consultant, Odonye presently offers policy advice to several countries on monetary economics, fiscal policy and development finance; and interacts with key policymakers, including officials of
the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, to enhance a robust macroeconomic stability, sustainable and inclusive growth.
His major focus has been to enhance the quality of country engagement with technical partners and building interests of the authorities to address key macroeconomic challenges.
The retired banker also said Odonye is particularly proficient in providing coherent fiscal and monetary policy frameworks; and matched structural reforms, targeted to the peculiarities of individual countries to achieve the needed economic growth and sustainability.
“A man who previously held the position of Alternate Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund; who served as a Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria is the suitable technocrat that can help the President deliver on his renewed hope agenda”. He further told the Maritime First, that Odonye had prior distinguished experience as Principal Economist at the West African Monetary Institute, as well as Associate Professional Officer both at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the Nairobi based General Secretariat of the Africa Regional Agricultural Credit Association” he said..
He further revealed that for over a decade, Odonye had been involved in independent evaluation and policy guidance, to foster global financial and monetary cooperation; secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth.
Born on January 2, 1962, Odonye is a trained economist and stable hand to behold. During his days as Executive Director and IMF Board Member, he played crucial collaborative role for conducting the day-to-day policy operations of the global institution, navigating the major challenges facing economies in the world, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic and associated recession.
His additional accomplishments included the task of joint representation and advocacy by a team of three, who represented the interests of 23 African countries, including the home country, Nigeria in the Africa Group of countries in the Washington-based IMF.
Acknowledging Asiwaju Tinubu’s dexterity in the selection of high calibre cabinet for quality performance and delivery, our credible source stated that Odonye meticulously undertook ad-hoc tasks and represented at least, four respective IMF Executive Directors in their absence.
“But his great skills showed when he led a high-performance team on international economic relations and successfully engaged the key stakeholders on economic cooperation between Nigeria and the rest of world” Tijani said.
