Former president Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated the President of African Development Bank, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, who has been announced as the recipient of the 2017 World Food Prize Laureate.
Adesina, whose name was selected on Monday, June 26 at Washington, D.C, becomes the 46th recipient and the sixth African to be so honoured.
Following his achievement, ex-president took to his Facebook page to shower praises on Adesina, who served as the minister of agriculture under his government.
According to Jonathan, he is not surprised at such honour being conferred on Dr. Adesina, as only few men on earth have the intellect and the work ethic of the ex-minister.
Jonathan said he is proud of the ex-minister following his new feat.
He said: “I congratulate the President of the African Development Bank and my former minister for agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, for emerging as the World Food Prize Laureate for the year 2017.
“However, if I must be honest, I am not surprised at such a honour being conferred on Dr. Adesina. I have met many men in my years on earth, but few have the intellect and the work ethic of Akinwumi. During his years as Nigeria’s agriculture minister, he introduced several innovations like the e-wallet fertilizer and seed distribution system which cut out the middle man, eliminated corruption and expanded Nigeria’s ability to feed herself.
“Under his guidance, Nigeria came out from the floods of 2012 without a famine. He oversaw a program that reduced our food import bill by almost 50% and working with others in my administration he helped Nigeria become one of only a handful of nations in the world to reduce hunger levels between 2011-2015 according to the International Food Policy Research Institute. I am proud of you Akin. Please accept my congratulations on behalf of my family and I and all those who served with me during my administration.”
In attendance to witness Adesina’s great feat were some past awardees, Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Nigeria’s Acting Ambassador to the U.S. and Chargé d ‘ Affaires, Amb. Hakeem Balogun.
Others include officials of the World Food Programme, members of the Diplomatic Corps and other U.S. officials.
The award ceremony would take place Oct. 19.
0 Comments
Tell us what you're thinking...We Love Comments