Tinubu congratulates AfDB President, Adesina, for winning Awolowo Prize for Leadership

Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) on the award of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership.

Tribune Online reports the announcement of the former Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture last December, by the selection committee led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku , as the winner of the prestigious biennial global prize in celebration of the democratic and development-oriented ideals of a foremost Pan-African nationalist, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Adesina, who is expected to receive the award at the ongoing programme for the 115th posthumous birthday of Chief Obafemi Awolowo in Lagos, has joined past winners like the Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka; former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, and lawyer-educationist, Chief Afe Babalola.

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“President Tinubu commends 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 acknowledges Dr. 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,” a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity on Wednesday said.

The President therefore wished the “AfDB President more success at AfDB and strength in his service to Africa and to humanity at large.”