Kingsley Kanayo
United States president, Mr. Barack Obama, has appointed a Nigerian, Adewale ‘Wally’ Adeyemo, deputy director of the National Economic Council, to succeed Caroline Atkinson as the president’s deputy national security adviser for global economic affairs, the Wall Street Journal has reported.
Adewale served in top roles at the Treasury Department in the White House.
He was the Treasury’s lead negotiator on the currency agreement that was part of the Pacific trade deal as well as the Deputy Chief of Staff to US Secretary, Jacob Lew.
Atkinson also played key roles in the recently concluded climate negotiations in Paris and in pushing the White House’s trade agenda, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.
Mr. Adeyemo also worked on Treasury’s response to crises in Ukraine and Greece and in 2010 was one of the first officials charged with standing up the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
“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”, Obama said in a statement.
He developed a network of worldwide relationships in economic offices around the world to promote US interests effectively.
Adeyamo’s new position has often served as a springboard for other officials including Michael Froman, the current USA trade representative, who previously held the post under both President Obama and former president Bill Clinton.
Atkinson is stepping down as Obama’s deputy national security adviser for worldwide economics, and so-called G-20 sherpa, after two years.
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