BY GODWIN OBI

Serving and former African Presidents, on Wednesday, took turns to commend the outstanding leadership of the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, as he bagged the prestigious 2023 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership.

African leaders including the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan; Ethiopian President, Sahle-Work Zewde; Prime Minister of Togo, Victoire Tomegah Dogbé; and President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria applauded Adesina’s sterling Pan-Africanism.

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 pronounced in a room full of diplomats, serving and former presidents and eminent individuals in Lagos on Wednesday

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 African 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.

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.