Gowon celebrates AfDB President Adesina On Awolowo Prize Feat

Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), Former head of state and Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) 

Gowon celebrates as AfDB President Adesina wins the Awolowo Prize, symbolizing Nigeria's finest.

Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), a former head of state, has praised Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), for being selected as the 2023 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership Award recipient.

Gowon commended the former minister of agriculture for Nigeria, saying that he embodies the best qualities of the country, including hard work, diligence, and impressive academic and professional credentials.

“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 declared on Wednesday in Lagos before a packed house of diplomats, current and former presidents, and other notable people.

Also, nonagenarian elder statesman and former Commonwealth Secretary General Chief Emeka Anyaoku applauded Adesina's selection as the fourth recipient of the esteemed award, which was established in memory of the late sage, Awolowo. The esteemed award, which honors pan-African leadership, has previously gone to Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, former South African President Thabo Mbeki, and eminent lawyer Aare Afe Babalola.

The recipient was hailed as “one of Africa's finest visionary leaders just like Awolowo” by President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the United Republic of Tanzania, who also stated that the AfDB President was the most deserving individual.

President Bola Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, and former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan graced the occasion.

Among the many distinguished guests at the event were serving governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Alex Otti (Abia), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Usman Ododo (Kogi), and Mohammed Bago (Niger); additionally, the Chairman of Channels Media Group, Dr. John Momoh, was present.