Dr Akinwumi Adesina, a prophet of progress and development

Chief Obahami Awolowo, serves as a compass for every of us and a guiding mild for a number of generations of leaders in Nigeria. His ideas have withstood the exams of time and geography.He stands as a testomony to the resilience of his convictions. His life additionally supplies a compelling narrative for each scholar of leadership- an inspiration that continues to resonate throughout our neighborhood, our nation, and the worldwide stage.

To understand Chief’s Awolowo’s teachings, we should confront the obscured realities of management. The preliminary trial for each chief lies in overcoming the conspiracies of mischief-makers, sceptics, and saboteurs. For the good sage from Ikenne, his enduring impression persists regardless of revisionists efforts. Time sifts by biases and lies, by hidden agendas and propaganda. Time delivers to us the bare fact that defines the powerful choices and sacrifices each honest chief should make to create a distinction.

However, in all we do, we should all the time discover energy within the perception of those that belief the method, those that give us the advantage of the doubt. There isn’t any higher honour than the privilege to steer one’s individuals, and assuming a place of management throughout  occasions of turbulence is the last word take a look at of our mettle as leaders. It’s these moments of uncertainty that true character and functionality come to the forefront. Whereas the quick judgment could also be rendered by the individuals who both impress or displease, the long run verdict is carved by time, the passage of time.

In his time, Chief Awolowo was fought each inside and out of doors his political occasion. He confronted a hostile opposition and was pushed arduous to the extent of discovering himself behind bars, a sufferer of his ambition to make a distinction. With time, even his harshest critics got here to grasp the futility of undermining him. He stood out even in dying due to his refusal to compromise his convictions.He fought till his final days in defence of democracy in Nigeria, and these are the examples that make him a hero of the nation.

There isn’t any doubt that point has been Chief Awolowo’s ally. Time has revealed the enduring impression of his concepts and actions. As we pay homage to his reminiscence, allow us to recognise that the identical energy of time to evaluate pretty connects with the lives and accomplishments of the honourees of the Awolowo Prize instituted in his immortal reminiscence.

As we speak, we have a good time a maverick change-maker who has not solely flown our flag all around the world, however has dazzled the world with novelty of his ideas, indispensability of his concepts, and dynamism of his actions.As we speak, we honour a person who has carved his path in some of the difficult workplaces to lead- Dr Akinwumi Adesina.

Like Chief Awolowo, our honouree right this moment has exemplified the values that formed the course of historical past in any respect the establishments he has headed, all of the workplaces he occupied. I’m, due to this fact, thrilled that the Obafemi Awolowo Management Prizeis got down to honour a prophet in his dwelling right this moment. That is the ability of standing for one’s convictions and serving humanity pretty.

In celebrating Dr Adesina’s achievements , we aren’t merely acknowledging a frontrunner, we’re recognising a task mannequin and mentor who paves the way in which for present and future generations.His journey attests to the transformative energy of trying forward in making ready to hit the runway of historical past. His capability to navigate the complexities of his function on the African Growth Financial institution showcases not solely his competence but additionally his resilience within the face of challenges.

On behalf of the great individuals of Nigeria, I lengthen my heartfelt congratulations to our brother. This prize is a reminder that we are able to’t afford to not have a good time our prophets at dwelling.We should all the time give them their flowers whereas they’ll nonetheless odor them.

Dr Adesina, a prophet of progress and growth with too few of his sort, deserves our collective recognition and admiration.