ADB President Dr. Akinwumi Awarded The $250,000 World Food Prize

The World Food Prize 2017 goes to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the ADB and fmr Min of Agriculture of Nigeria. The World Food Prize board chose Adesina this year for the $250,000 prize, highlighting his role in improving availability of seed, fertilizer and financing for African farmers, and for laying the foundations for the youth in Africa to engage in agriculture as a profitable business." 

The official announcement was made during a ceremony on Monday at the U.S. Dept of Agriculture in Washington D.C., hosted by Sec, Sonny Perdue. Adesina was commended for his tireless work in "making Africa a key player securing food for the world.” Speaking at the event, Adesina said he was inspired by a commitment to transform African agriculture into a means for lifting millions out of poverty and is proud that his work has been recognized. “It's vitally important to show young people in rural regions of Africa that farming can be profitable and can improve their lives…

” This is a proud moment for Nigeria and a reminder of the outstanding contribution of Nigerians to the world. Here is his brilliant keynote address at the 2016 edition of the World Food Prize. https://lnkd.in/dW7tuJf

(afdb.org)