Dr. Akinwunmi Ayọdeji Adeṣina, President of the African Development Bank, has been announced as the recipient of the prestigious 2023 Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ Prize for Leadership.
The announcement was made by the Selection Committee after a thorough screening process.
This was contained in a statement by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Chairman, Selection Committee of the Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ Prize for Leadership.
Dr. Adeṣina, who previously served as the Nigerian Minister of Agriculture, has been recognized for his exceptional leadership qualities and his commitment to the positive transformation of Africa.
He has been praised for his intellectual leadership and for implementing public policies that have had a significant impact on the lives of millions of people.During his tenure as Minister of Agriculture, Dr.
Adeṣina introduced innovative reforms, including the fertilizer sector reforms, which successfully eliminated corruption and ensured that farmers benefited from government-subsidized fertilizers.The Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ Prize for Leadership is awarded to individuals who exemplify the qualities and values associated with Chief Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ, a renowned Nigerian statesman and leader.
The award ceremony will take place later this year, where Dr. Adeṣina will be honored for his outstanding achievements and leadership.
The prestigious award, which aims to recognize and celebrate excellence in leadership, was established by the foundation in 2012.
The recipient of the maiden award was announced on December 19, 2012, and the presentation ceremony took place on March 6, 2013.
Since then, three distinguished personalities have been honored with the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership.
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The foundation, which was established in April 1992, serves as the custodian of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s intellectual and leadership legacy. It is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to immortalizing the democratic and development-oriented ideals of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Over the years, the foundation has pursued its mission through various activities, including hosting Dialogues that examine critical issues of national concern and propose viable alternative strategies for their solution.
The institution of the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership was a direct outcome of a Special Dialogue held in July 2011. The dialogue focused on transformational leadership and good governance, highlighting the lack of good leadership as one of the greatest challenges facing African countries.
As a result, the foundation decided to establish the prize to encourage, recognize, reward, and celebrate excellence in leadership.
It will be a momentous occasion to celebrate and honor the recipient’s achievements and inspire others to strive for excellence in leadership.
The Obafemi Awolowo Foundation continues to play a vital role in preserving Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s legacy and promoting the ideals of good governance and transformational leadership.