By Lucy Ogalue
The Board, Management, and Staff of the Africa Project Development Centre (APDC) have extended warm birthday wishes to Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The centre in a statement on Friday in Abuja, celebrated Adesina’s exceptional contributions to Africa’s development.
The APDC described Adesina as “Africa’s Optimist-in-Chief,” recognising his visionary leadership in transforming the continent’s agricultural and economic landscape.
It reiterated his pioneering efforts at the Rockefeller Foundation, where he initiated the Agro-Dealers Network and played a key role in organising the Africa Fertilizer Summit.
It also acknowledged his tenure as Vice-President at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), where he championed innovative financing solutions for smallholder farmers.
“As Nigeria’s minister of agriculture, Adesina introduced groundbreaking reforms, including the E-Wallet system, which eradicated corruption in fertilizer distribution and significantly boosted food production.
“His leadership at the AfDB, where his High-Five Agenda focused on lighting up and powering Africa, feeding Africa, industrialising economies, integrating regions, and improving the quality of life, continues to drive sustainable development,” it said.
The organisation praised Adesina’s dedication to youth empowerment through initiatives such as the ENABLE Youth Programme, which promoted agribusiness innovation among young Africans.
“Your life’s work embodies hope, resilience, and progress for Africa. We wish you continuous health, happiness, and success as you inspire us to dream bigger and achieve more,” the statement said.
NAN reports that Adesina, a globally recognised development economist and advocate for agricultural transformation, has received several international awards for his contributions to food security and economic development in Africa.
NAN