President Bola Tinubu yesterday joined serving and former African Presidents to commend the outstanding leadership quality of the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, as he bagged the prestigious 2023 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership.
Tinubu alongside his counterparts from the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan; Ethiopian President, Sahle-Work Zewde; the Prime Minister of Togo, Victoire, and the President of the Union of the Comoros, Azali Assoumani and the
outgoing Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani described Adesina as a visionary leader and the pride of Africa.
The former Minister of Agriculture from 2011 to 2015, was decorated at the 2024 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership Award held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos
Dr Adesina joined the list of other previous winners of the award such as Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka; former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, and lawyer-educationist, Chief Afe Babalola held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos
President Tinubu, represented by Vice President, Kashim Shettima described Adesina as a pragmatist, an innovator and a visionary leader whose leadership has lifted the AfDB to greater heights.
He 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.
“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.
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 African for what he has done for being a visionary,” she 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 pronounced in a room full of diplomats, serving and former presidents and eminent individuals in Lagos on Wednesday.
Also, 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.
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.
In his lecture President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, stressed the need for accountability and true federalism.
According to him, the mass exodus of Nigerian youths leaving the country would will slow down economic development of the country saying
“Nations that developed do all they can to keep their best human capital at home .
“We must make Nigeria a viable place for people to stay and not a place to run away from. I refused to believe that the future of Nigerians and indeed African youths lies in Europe, North America, Asia or anywhere else.
He called on African countries to take urgent action to end poverty and mismanagement of natural resources if they want to earn the respect of the global community.
Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan graced the event alongside 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.
