Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank, was honored with the 2023 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership Award.
He served as the Minister of Agriculture from 2011 to 2015 and received the prestigious award at the 2024 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership Award ceremony held at the Lagos Continental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event was attended by former heads of state from Nigeria and other countries, state governors, royal figures, and other notable Nigerians.
Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Retd.), praised Adesina as a brilliant individual who embodies the finest qualities of Nigeria.
“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 stated.
Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku, praised the selection of Adesina as the fourth recipient of the prestigious award named after the late Awolowo.
Anyaoku, a 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.”
Previous winners of the award include Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, former South African President Thabo Mbeki, and lawyer Aare Afe Babalola.
Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan attended the event, while President Bola Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The current governors present at the event include Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Alex Otti (Abia), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Usman Ododo (Kogi), and Mohammed Bago (Niger), among others.
