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Meet Adeyemo, son of Nigerian immigrant whom Obama appointed security adviser

President Barrack Obama of the United States on Tuesday appointed Nigeria-born Adewale Adeyemo as the deputy national security adviser (NSA) for international economics.

In a statement annoucing Adeyemo’s appointment, Obama said the African-American helped the US combat global economic recession which started in 2008.

“I am grateful that Caroline’s (Atkinson, former deputy NSA) work will be carried on by Adewale ‘Wally’ Adeyemo, who has served in my administration since 2009,” he said.

“At the treasury department, he was part of the team that helped coordinate our response to the global recession, laying the foundation for renewed growth at home and abroad.

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“He helped establish the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and he’s been our point person on a range of international economic issues, including negotiations on strong currency agreements around the trans pacific partnership.

“I will be calling on Wally’s intellect, judgment and dedication as we sustain America’s global economic leadership, which reinforces our national security, and as we work with allies and partners around the world to create jobs and opportunity for all our people.”

ADEYEMO’S PARENTS LEFT FOR GREENER PASTURES

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When he appeared before the US senate committee on banking, housing, and urban affairs in September, he appreciated his parents who left Nigeria to seek a better life for him.

“While they could not be here today, I want to acknowledge my father and mother who immigrated to this country in search of the American dream and the opportunity to give my brother, sister, and me a better life,” he had said.

“They have worked hard, as an elementary school principal and a nurse, to give tremendous opportunities to their children, but along the way, they have instilled in us the values that guide us every day.

“They often remind us that this country affords the chance to do anything we wanted if we work hard.  And they have taught us that we have a responsibility to serve the community and the country that has afforded them so many opportunities.”

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GRADUATE OF YALE LAW SCHOOL

The 34-year-old graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a bachelor’s of arts, before moving to Yale Law School, where he bagged his Juris Doctor (JD) for further studies in specialised law.

While at Yale, he was the co-director, project on law and education for the university.

Before his appointment, Adeyemo was the deputy chief of staff at the department of the treasury, a position he held for three years. He has served in various positions at treasury, including senior advisor to the chief of staff and deputy executive secretary.

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Adeyemo also worked as the chief of staff at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from 2010 to 2011.  He was an editor for the Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution from 2008 to 2009.

COULD HE BECOME THE GOVERNOR OF US FEDERAL RESERVES?

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The governor of the US federal reserves is equivalent to that of Nigeria’s apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Adeyemo’s position as deputy NSA has been the springboard to Michael Froman, who is currently the US trade representative and Lael Brainard, Federal Reserve governor.

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American finance experts also believe that the post can serve as a springboard to the Nigeria-born who is toeing the same line as those who have gone ahead of him on the job. But the question still remains; can Adeyemo become the first Nigerian US citizen to be governor of the US federal reserve?

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19 comments
    1. He could have been nobody if he grew up in Nigeria. There are still 170million brains to tap from in Nigeria; so his loss to US should not be regretted but should be celebrated for humanity sake because eventually he has added value to humanity.

  1. Congrats!
    But you needed more bk home than over there (jst thinking aloud) this appointment shows that all things being equal Africans can compete favourably with their contemporaries anywhere in the world.

  2. Excellence has no origin, nor colour.

    Everyone keeps talking about the fact that he’s from Nigeria, which of course, is a fact. But the truth is that the guy is excellent, and must have impressed his employer before he could be trusted with this position.

    In other words, in a country like the US, everything is possible if one works hard. I just hope our young ones would borrow a leaf from Adeyemo’s example and leave no stone unturned in reaching their goals.

  3. This is very good.This is a pride to Nigeria and the world at large. it is also a reward of integrity and diligence. Congratulation.

  4. I’m proud of Mr Adawale Adeyemo, this is reward for hard work and determine service, I wish him greater appointment. God thank You for the glory is your

  5. It will interest you to know tht Adeyemo’s parents left Nigeria in 1984 when the current Nigerin democratic oresident was head of state…. we sure will bw loosing some again

  6. Another fulfilment of Martin Luther King’s dream. People shall be recognized not by the colour of their skin, but the content of their character.

    Congratulations and best wishes for Adeyemo, his parents and all the good people of America. God will continue to protect our Obama, whose foot prints on the sand of history and legacies will stand the test of time. Yisa Ibrahim

  7. Thank you for making us proud. Your fatherland, Nigeria, will forever remember you. Stride on, our son!

  8. I am so pleased to see someone being rewarded of good hard works and honest. The world is lacking good people like him. I thank you USA for being open and also rewarding the best people. America will always remain as a trend-setter of good spirit.

  9. Our brother, Adeyemo is really God’s work exemplified. This is why America appears like the ‘fairyland’ to millions of Africans. Ride on dear.

  10. Where else but in America, can this happen. If “Wally” was here in Nigeria, he wouldnt get all those opportunities, if “he e no know person”. In simple english, that means if he is not well connected or ready to lose his dignity to some depraved souls in order to get it. Shame! on a country some of us know only too well.

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