by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, has congratulated Dr. Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, for receiving the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership Award, 2024.
Governor Mutfwang was among eminent Nigerian and international leaders, who attended the historic event, held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Lagos State.
He described Dr. Adesina as a “visionary leader and a globally-respected economist,” who has served Nigeria and Africa incredibly well. He noted that Dr. Adesina’s foresight and people-centred leadership have attracted alternative and increased investments into Africa.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said Chief Obafemi Awolowo lived a life of excellence, and commended Dr. Adesina for his productive interventions in transforming Nigeria and Africa. He called on Nigerians to join hands with Dr. Adesina to move the nation forward, saying Nigeria would certainly rise again.
The Chairman of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation and former Military President, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), described Chief Obafemi Awolowo as “an exemplary and inspirational leader,” whose political virtues are worthy of emulation.
He congratulated Dr. Adesina on his choice for the eminent award and said his foresight, leadership and hard work have transformed the nation, particularly the agricultural sector.
President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, said “Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a great leader whose enduring legacies everyone would like to be associated with.”
She described the selection of Dr. Adesina for the award as “befitting,” and said his incredible performance has offered significant solutions to societal challenges in Africa. She said Tanzanians have enjoyed his laudable support and said his passion to change lives in Africa and ensure that Africans feed themselves cannot be forgotten in a hurry.
The African Development Bank president then thanked dignitaries within and outside Nigeria for creating time to attend the remarkable event, and said the recognition would spur him to do more for Africa.
Dr. Adesina presented a paper, titled, ‘Making a New Nigeria: Welfarist Policies and People-Centred Development,’ highlighting the need for Nigerians and Africans to have access to education, affordable healthcare and housing for all.
He pledged his support to the present administration to tackle rural poverty and said priority should be given to the rural economy to improve the living condition of the people.
The Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership Award, organized by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, is instituted on the basis of one of the major recommendations of its Special Dialogue on ‘Transformational Leadership and Good Governance: Lessons from the Awolowo Example,’ held in 2011.
The prize is instituted in the name of Chief Obafemi Awolowo to encourage and reward excellence in leadership and good governance. The awardee must possess the characteristics of leadership and good governance, such as integrity, credibility, discipline, selflessness, visionary leadership, people-centred leadership, grassroots-friendly policies and positive policy interventions in education, health, economy and agriculture, which (coincidently) align with the vision and mission of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang’s administration.
Eminent distinguished Nigerian leaders, who graced the occasion, include former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former President Goodluck Jonathan, as well as President of the Union of Comoros and outgoing Chairperson of the African Union, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, President of the Republic of Togo, Faure Gnassingbe and President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde, among others.