Adesina appointed into Council of Advisors, to begin work September or later
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Akinwumi Adesina has been appointed into the Council of Advisors of the World Food Prize Foundation (WFPF), to begin work in September or later, after serving out his 10-year tenure as African Development Bank (AfDB) President.
WFPF President Mashal Husain disclosed the appointment in a statement issued in New York.
Husain said Adesina, a 2017 World Food Prize Laureate, “embodies the values and vision of Dr Norman Borlaug-transforming bold ideas into tangible impact.
“His lifelong commitment to agricultural innovation, sustainability and economic development across Africa makes him an extraordinary addition to our Council of Advisors.
“We are honored to welcome him back to the Foundation in this new role.”
WFPF Council of Advisors, appointed by the Foundation’s Board of Directors, include former Heads of State and Government, Ministers, and leaders in food and agricultural science, education, research and policy.
They provide the board and staffers with insights and advice on advancing the mission of the organisation and Borlaug’s vision for the WFPF.
The statement quoted Adesina as saying: “I am deeply honoured to join the Council of Advisors of the World Food Prize Foundation.
“Dr Norman Borlaug was not only a mentor, but a personal inspiration whose passion for ending hunger shaped my own journey.
“As a Laureate, I carry his legacy with me, and I look forward to working with the Foundation to advance bold, science-driven solutions that uplift farmers, feed nations and transform our world.”
Adesina, an agriculture expert and globally recognised development economist, received the 2017 World Food Prize for his more than two decades of leadership and progress.
He served with the Rockefeller Foundation as Vice President, Policy and Partnerships at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
He also served as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2011 to 2015, after which he joined the AfDB.
Adesina has been at the forefront of galvanising political will to transform African agriculture through several initiatives.
These initiatives helped expand agricultural production, thwart corruption in the Nigerian fertilizer industry and exponentially increase availability of credit for smallholder farmers across the continent.
In 2015, he was elected AfDB President, the first Nigerian to occupy the post, and has served 10 years spearheading the “High 5” Agenda – to light up and power Africa, feed Africa, industrialise Africa, integrate Africa, and improve the quality of life for the people of Africa.
During his tenure, he oversaw major funding initiatives for infrastructure, agriculture and youth entrepreneurship across the continent.
In 2013, he was named Forbes African Person of the Year.
Tom Vilsack, World Food Prize Foundation CEO, said Adesina “has long been a trailblazer in global agriculture and economic development.
“His leadership has reshaped the landscape of African agriculture, from fighting corruption to empowering farmers and fueling sustainable growth.
“Sharing Dr. Borlaug’s conviction that food is a powerful tool for peace and progress, Dr. Adesina brings both deep expertise and a shared moral compass to the Council of Advisors.”
Adesina has a PhD in agricultural economics from Purdue University and will finish his second and final term as AfDB President in September, when he will start in his role on the Council.
The World Food Prize is an international award that honors individuals who have improved the quality, quantity or availability of food worldwide.
The Prize was founded by Norman E. Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for his work that contributed to increases in agricultural outputs termed the Green Revolution.
The World Food Prize has been awarded to 55 individuals during the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue.
The Dialogue, also known as the Borlaug Dialogue, is a week of events dedicated to an issue surrounding food insecurity or hunger each year.
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