BBC Africa is currently receiving backlash for describing Akinwumi Adesina as a flamboyant Nigerian banker.
The development followed Adesina’s re-election as the president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) on Thursday.
Adesina, who was first elected on May 28, 2015, will start his new five-year term on September 1, 2020.
Hours after his announcement as winner, BBC Africa sent a tweet on its verified handle.
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“Flamboyant Nigerian banker Akinwumi Adesina has been re-elected chairman of the African Development Bank (AfDB) after weathering a political storm over allegations of corruption,” the tweet read.
https://twitter.com/BBCAfrica/status/1299015453629722625?s=20
The post, as of the time of this report, has been retweeted over 1,500 times, and has 884 likes and 869 replies, many of which are reactions from people criticising the choice of words used to describe Adesina.
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Tolu Ogunlesi, special assistant on digital/new media to President Muhammadu Buhari, was among those who criticised the post.
“Who signed off on this? This is far from BBC standard. 1. What’s the “flamboyant” doing here? 2. “Banker” is hardly the way to describe his professional life. 3. “President” of AfDB, not “Chairman”. Or are you people now into parody ni?” Ogunlesi asked.
Below are more reactions.
Who signed off on this? This is far from BBC standard.
Advertisement1. What’s the “flamboyant” doing here?
2. “Banker” is hardly the way to describe his professional life.
3. “President” of AfDB, not “Chairman”
Or are you people now into parody ni? https://t.co/IoHzIWpN8n
Advertisement— Tolu Ogunlesi, MON (@toluogunlesi) August 27, 2020
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("Brilliant" Agriculture Economist and Nigerian Banker has been re-elected chairman of AfDB). There, I fixed it. You're welcome.
— Touchè Turtle 🐢 (@slyman7z) August 27, 2020
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By "flamboyant" are you implying "less than sober"?
AdvertisementOr "more sizzle than steak"?
Or are you subconsciously implying that his sartorial splendor diminishes his competence?
Or that his nice suits hide professional deficiencies?Churchill used to wear bowties. Was he flamboyant?
— BST Ventures (@yrubored) August 27, 2020
BBC is competing with piers Morgan in name calling
— Níyì B. Akintade Esq. (@nytade) August 27, 2020
Resist the urge. https://t.co/iE5vN4vUJL
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) August 27, 2020
You described him as 'flamboyant' when he was accused of corruption and we came for you. We saw your bias then.
This second use of 'flamboyant' is so we assume there's nothing wrong with that first description? Well, there is!
— Nedu Ekeke (@Nedunaija) August 27, 2020
Flamboyant!
These international media houses can’t just hide their disgust for the bright future of Africa anymore.
I am not surprised though, they are doing same thing for Donald Trump.
— Ọládipúpọ̀ O. Sàlàkọ́ (@Dipsonn) August 27, 2020
Your coverage of Adesina reveals your implicit bias, and you really need an editorial check. You are, quite frankly, a disgrace!
— Gimba Kakanda (@gimbakakanda) August 27, 2020
E dey Pain them. pic.twitter.com/hqZSyWpU8Y
— Bayo (@tesh_ola) August 27, 2020
You can show your anger by calling him all sort of names. I'm sure you're part of those that cooked up the allegations against @akin_adesina. Dr. Akin has demonstrated capacity, integrity and competence in the past 5 years with high sense of responsibility.
— Alex (@alexiliya) August 27, 2020
You can't even congratulate him in peace and keep it moving! You had to be very stupid instead!
"Who is bankrolling you to write this nonsense"?
— Iyanuoluwa Bolarinwa (@Bolarinwaiyanu) August 27, 2020
What is flamboyant about Dr. @akin_adesina? Didn't you find words like brilliant, hardworking, professional, passionate, committed, dedicated, etc, to use? Congratulations sir, we remain proud of your great work!!!
— Edobong Akpabio, FIAM (@edobong_akpabio) August 27, 2020
No no no no no nooooo! NOOOOOOO! BBC THIS IS NOT TRUE! NOT GOOD AT ALL. Leave @akin_adesina alone please.
— Ndi Kato (@YarKafanchan) August 27, 2020
Flamboyant because he wears a bow tie? This headline is rather questionable and should be corrected. He is a very intelligent man and has done a fantastic job at the AfDB
— Mariam Momodu (@mariammomodu_) August 27, 2020
BBC Africa, this is shameful and below par for every reasons.
»»» What’s the “flamboyant” doing with “allegations of corruption” here?
»»» He's the “President” of AfDB, not “Chairman”
We know you hate that he got re-elected, thank you for showing it.
— 𝘼. 𝙄. 𝙈. 👨🏽🚀 𝕏 (@AimThaMachine_) August 27, 2020
Flamboyant because he wears nice suit. Absolute junk headline.
This is disgraceful from @BBCAfrica pic.twitter.com/NdcBSWSylU— Yinka ⚽💯 🇳🇬 (@YinkuzJ) August 27, 2020
He is handsome, articulate, dresses sharp yet highly successful at his job but you just have to show your bias & intent to diminish his victory by Labelling him flamboyant.
Amongst all adjectives you just had to use one that kinda suggests the allegations against him May be true— K.dIsco (@Inglewood237) August 27, 2020
Keep thriving, they've got nothing on you.
Congratulations to one of Africa's finest. @akin_adesina We are proud of you sir.— Hajjia Sherifah🌴💎 (@bellamoi_kj) August 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/meccuno/status/1299045973369421824?s=20
Damn! This cracks me up big time here. I can actually picture the pain whoever handles this page is going through right now. But Such bitterness is beyond me.
In case you miss it, @akin_adesina got 78 out of 78 votes; that's a 💯!
Just don't end it tonight. 😎😎😎
— Afis Balogun (@Figo_wordsmith) August 27, 2020
“Flamboyant” because it is paining you people. Haha.
“Flamboyant” and we like it like that. Yaass!— Jake Okechukwu Effoduh (@effodu) August 27, 2020
Indomitable Nigerian banker Akinwumi Adesina has been deservedly re-elected.. ;after an unsustainable, baseless and puerile campaign of calumny by his detractors had run its course.@akin_adesina Congratulations on your re-election. 👏🏿👏🏿
— ObyDikeagu (@ObyDikeagu) August 27, 2020
'Flamboyant Nigerian banker.. '
It's 2020 and narrative-setting is all journalism is about now.
— Bezold-Jarisch (@tundeolubusi) August 27, 2020
At least we know who's side you are on and what your motives are. You can't fool anyone with the Africa in your name BBC!!!!
— Ṣèyí Ẹkùn (@pataki_ro) August 27, 2020
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