The President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has received the prestigious National Diaspora Merit Award from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).
This award, presented during the National Diaspora Day 2023 event, recognized his selfless service and contributions as a Nigerian Diaspora Global Icon.
The ceremony, held in Abuja at the State House Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa recently, also honored other recipients, including United Nations Deputy Secretary General Amina J. Mohammed and Director General of the World Trade Organization Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
NIDCOM, an agency under Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is responsible for engaging with the Nigerian diaspora community.
The event was attended by distinguished guests such as Bank Group Chief Economist and Vice President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management Professor Kevin Chika Urama and Dr Adesina’s Adviser on Stakeholder Engagement, Ms Lola Visser-Mabogunje.
Executives and members of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) from across the world, senior government officials, captains of industry, and members of the diplomatic community were also present.
Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of NIDCOM, praised Dr Adesina’s exemplary service and contributions to national development, which earned him the award.
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She emphasized the importance of recognizing exceptional Nigerians in the diaspora who have positively impacted Nigeria.
Lamin Barrow, Director General of the African Development Bank Group’s Nigeria Country Department, received the award on behalf of President Adesina.
He expressed gratitude for the recognition of President Adesina’s outstanding achievements and contributions to Nigeria and Africa’s development efforts.
In response to the award, Dr Adesina humbly accepted it and expressed his gratitude, considering it as a recognition of his contributions to finance and economics and a symbol of inspiration to other Nigerians in the diaspora.
He is widely known as “Africa’s Optimist-in-Chief” for his visionary leadership and passion for Africa’s transformation.
Besides Dr Adesina, more than 20 other Nigerians in the diaspora were also honored in various categories, including education, politics, information and communications technology, leadership development, medicine and healthcare, automobile, philanthropy, and sports.
Among them were Emeritus Professor Augustine Esogbue, Professor Mobolaji Aluko, and Professor Rotimi Jayesimi
