U.S. foundation honours AfDB President for exemplary leadership

A United States-based Foundation for Democracy in Africa, advocacy and research think tank, has conferred its topmost Medal of Glory Award on the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, for his exemplary leadership.
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The Medal of Glory Award is the Foundation’s highest honour, given yearly in recognition of extraordinary contributions to democracy, good governance and the advancement of trade, investment as well as cultural ties in Africa.

For Adesina, the award selection committee recognised, in particular, the bank’s COVID-19 response “that provided African governments and the private sector with critical financial support, debt relief and a fiscal stimulus package that ensured continuity of government and provision of social goods during the darkest months and years of the global pandemic in Africa.

Senior Advisor on Communication at the AfDB, Dr. Victor Oladokun, received the award on Adesina’s behalf at the Foundation’s annual AfrICANDO 2022 conference and exhibition held in Miami, Florida, last week.
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Oladokun commended the Foundation’s leadership and consistent advocacy for Africa, especially in building investment bridges between the U.S. and the continent. He also appreciated the award selection committee for recognising the transformative work of Adesina and the group.

“This Medal of Glory Award is an inspiration to bring greater glory to Africa. I want to assure you that Adesina will continue to do that, and so will the African Development Bank Group,” the senior advisor said.

He called on the Foundation, its affiliates, and global delegates to support the Bank’s initiatives for addressing climate change and food security. He also urged the international community to rally behind the bank’s advocacy for a portion of the IMF’s additional Special Drawing Rights to help build resilience in Africa.

Oladokun stressed: “Africa faces an existential crisis that is not of its own making. We must therefore translate visionary leadership into concrete action.”
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The Foundation also awarded three local government commissioners in Florida for their dedicated public service. It also presented a posthumous award for a retired media specialist for a lifetime commitment to community service.

Past recipients of the Medal of Glory Award include late Malawi President, Bingu Wa Mutharika; former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo; Senator Connie Mack of Florida and President of the National Council of Negro Women, Dr. Dorothy Height.

Others are former Senegalese Presidents Abdou Diouf and Abdoulaye Wade, former Malian President, Alpha Omar Konare and the founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Dr. Mo Ibrahim.
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