Adesina to Deliver Keynote Lecture at Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership

The President of African Development Bank (AfDB) Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, would deliver the keynote address at the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership on March 6.

A statement signed by the Bank noted that the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation would award the AfDB President with the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership on same day.

The statement noted that the prize which promotes the legacy and democratic ideals of the late Nigerian nationalist and federalist leader Chief Obafemi Awolowo, also recognises and celebrates excellence in leadership.

Established in 1992, the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation is a non-profit, and non-partisan organisation.

The statement further explained that the prize was a prestigious and biennial, international prize structured to follow a rigorous process of nomination and subsequent screening by a selection committee consisting of some of the most outstanding Nigerians.

The statement hinted that the prize not only confers considerable honour and recognition on the recipient, but also serves as a strong incentive to persons to pursue excellence in leadership and good governance.

It stated that in line with the relevant guidelines for the selection of candidates for the award, the call for nomination for this year's edition of the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership was published for several months in 2023, adding that at the close of nomination, many nominations were received.

The statement added that there was no doubt that many of these nominees are eminent persons who have made tremendous contributions in various spheres of life.

Adesina is the third recipient of the award. Others include Nigerian writer and Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka and former South African President Thabo Mbeki.