- Tinubu, Several African Presidents, Diplomats, Govs Take Turn To Hail AfDB’s President Pan-Africanism
It was a night of honour as the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwunmi Adesina bagged the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership.
The award was given to Adesina in a ceremony attended by several African leaders, present and former governors among others, in Lagos on Wednesday.
The event was witnessed by several serving and former African Presidents, who took turns to commend the outstanding leadership of Akinwunmi Adesina.
African leaders including the President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria; President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan; Ethiopian President, Sahle-Work Zewde; Prime Minister of Togo, Victoire Tomegah Dogbé; all applauded Adesina’s sterling Pan-Africanism.
Leading the shower of praise, President Tinubu in a statement signed by his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, commended the AfDB President for his visionary and noble endeavour to transform agriculture in Africa and ensure food security on the continent, recalling the growth enhancement schemes revolutionizing Nigeria’s agriculture value chains he introduced as the then Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The President acknowledged Adesina’s unblemished records, tried and tested integrity, as well as his immense leadership and development strides, particularly in agriculture, efforts of which have earned him numerous honours and recognition globally, including the World Food Prize in 2017.
READ ALSO: Hardship: AfDB To Boost Food Production In Nigeria With $134m
Tinubu wished the AfDB President more success at AfDB and strength in his service to Africa and to humanity at large.
On his part, The President of the Union of the Comoros and the outgoing Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani, described Adesina as a pragmatist, an innovator and a visionary whose leadership has given the AfDB a facelift.
“Dr Adesina has an incredible ability to bring leaders together, to dedicate and commit themselves to initiatives that transform African on a daily basis,” he said.
Also, a former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) described as deserving, the choice Adesina as the honoree.
Gowon said the former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture represents the best of Nigeria while extolling his sterling attributes of hard work, diligence, intimidating academic and professional credentials, amongst others.
“The choice of Dr Akinwumi Adesina can only be described as having been very well done. He represents the best of Nigeria, hardworking, diligent, brilliant, forward-looking, and deeply patriotic,” Gowon.
Also, nonagenarian elder statesman and former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, commended the choice of Adesina as the fourth recipient of the prestigious award which was started in the honour of the late sage, Awolowo. Past awardees of the prestigious award which recognises pan-African leadership are Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka; former South African President, Thabo Mbeki; and legal luminary Aare Afe Babalola.
Anyaoku saluted Adesina’s “tremendous achievement” as Nigeria’s Agriculture Minister from 2011 to 2015 and “even more spectacular performance as President of the African Development Bank”.
He said, “Out of the many reputable nominations received, members of the selection committee unanimously considered Dr Akinwumi Adesina as having in his career to date in a large measure, the Chief Obafemi Awolowo attribute that I have sought to describe.”
The renowned diplomat said Awolowo “recognised the challenge of careful management of diversity in our pluralistic country and as such articulate his belief that a true federalism is an essential condition for the peace and progress of Nigeria” and his Pan-Africanism was well-represented in his writings and books.
The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, also described the awardee as “one of Africa’s finest visionary leaders just like Awolowo”, saying there could not have been a more deserving person than the AfDB President.
Ethiopian President, Sahle-Work Zewde, said provision of innovative solutions characterised the AfDB President while applauding his vision for Africa’s emergence from its challenges. “Today, we are celebrating the son of Africa for what he has done, for being a visionary,” she said.
Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan graced the event while President Bola Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
READ ALSO: AfDB Sets To Begin Disbursement Of $540m SAPZs Fund
Serving governors including Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Alex Otti (Abia), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Usman Ododo (Kogi), and Mohammed Bago (Niger), as well as the Chairman of Channels Media Group, Dr John Momoh who presented Adesina’s citation at the event; amongst many fine dignitaries were also present at the event.
