The 2023 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership Award goes to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank. The renowned award was given to the former minister of agriculture from 2011 to 2015 on Wednesday at the Lagos Continental Hotel on Victoria Island, Lagos, during the 2024 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership Award.
Former heads of state from both inside and outside of Nigeria, state governors, royal fathers, and other notable Nigerians graced the occasion.
Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Retd.), the former head of state, spoke about the occasion and called Adesina a great guy who “represents the best of Nigeria.” His selection was exceptionally skillful. Gowon said, “He is an exemplary example of what it is to be an industrious, dedicated, smart, forward-thinking, and passionately patriotic Nigerian.
Emeka Anyaoku, the former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, also applauded Adesina’s selection as the fourth recipient of the esteemed prize, which was established in memory of the late Awolowo and having his career to date in large measure. According to Anyaoku, Awolowo “articulated his belief that a true federalism is an essential condition for the peace and progress of Nigeria and recognized the challenge of careful management of diversity in our pluralistic country.”
Previous recipients of the esteemed honor include lawyer Aare Afe Babalola, former South African President Thabo Mbeki, and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.
Former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Kashim Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu attended the function as well as Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Alex Otti of Abia, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Usman Ododo of Kogi, and Mohammed Bago of Niger are among the governors currently serving at the event.