The Governor of the State of Iowa USA, Kim Reynolds, has officially named President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, as the 2017 World Food Prize Laureate, on behalf of the World Food Prize Foundation. — “I am proud as the Governor of Iowa State to proclaim Dr. Akinwumi Adesina as the 2017 World Food Prize Laureate.” Reynolds stated.
The event which held at the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines hosted dignitaries including Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria, and John Mahama, former President of Ghana. Adesina was accompanied by his wife Grace, his children, Rotimi and Segun, representatives of the Nigerian Government, Purdue University, his alma mater, friends, associates and Bank staff.
In line with his avowed commitment to a new deal for youth empowerment, Adesina pledged to devote the US $250,000 prize money to a fund in support of young African farmers and agriculture entrepreneurs, or “agripreneurs.”
“And so, even though I don’t have the cash in my hand, I hereby commit my $250,000 as a cash prize for the World Food Prize award to set up a fund fully dedicated to providing financing for the youth of Africa in agriculture to feed Africa,” Adesina said. “We will arise and feed Africa. The day is coming very soon when all its children will be well-fed, when millions of small-holder farmers will be able to send their kids to school,” he added.
The President of the World Food Prize Foundation, Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, paid tribute to Adesina, “whose breakthrough achievements have impacted millions of farmers and those living in rural poverty in Nigeria and throughout Africa, and whose leadership holds great promise for uplifting millions and millions more across that continent.”
In a speech at the colourful ceremony, the Vice-President of the United States of America, Michael Pence, commended the Laureate in a speech read on his behalf by Mark Green, Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
“As our global food system is stretched, and the need to feed more people grows, agricultural transformation will require persistence from leaders like you in driving change and capitalizing on public- and private-sector expertise,” Pence said.
The Vice-President described Adesina’s devotion to the cause of fighting global hunger as admirable, and deeply needed, and on behalf of President Donald Trump, extended heartfelt congratulations. “The United States is and remains committed to food security, and we will continue to work with leaders like you to find innovative ways to end global hunger,” he said.
The Purdue University Glee Club and multiple award-winning all-female Nigerian singing group Adunni and Nefertiti set the mood of the evening with musical performances, followed by award winning songstress Omawumi, who had flew in from Lagos for the occasion.
source: African Development Bank Group (AfDB)
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