The former Minister of Agriculture from 2011 to 2015, won the coveted prize on Wednesday at the 2024 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership Award held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos
The event was graced by former heads of state from within and outside Nigeria, state governors, royal fathers and other distinguished Nigerians.
Speaking about the event, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Retd.) described Adesina as a brilliant man, who “represents the best of Nigeria.”
“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 stated.
Also, former Secretary-General, the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku, commended the choice of Adesina as the fourth recipient of the prestigious award which was started in the honour of late Awolowo.
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.”
Anyaoku, a 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.”
Past winners of the prestigious award are Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka; former South African President, Thabo Mbeki; and lawyer, Aare Afe Babalola.
Present at the event were former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, while President Bola Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The serving governors at the ongoing event are Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Alex Otti (Abia), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Usman Ododo (Kogi), and Mohammed Bago (Niger), amongst others.
