Ex-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has congratulated his former
minister of agriculture and President of the African Development Bank,
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina over his emergence as the 2017 World Food Prize
laureate, describing him as a man of exceptional work ethic.
The former President defined Dr. Adeshina as the man who transformed
agriculture in Nigeria by introducing several innovations that changed
the face of farming, boosted the capacity of farmers and expanded the
nation’s ability to feed herself.
Media adviser to the ex-President, Ikechukwu Eze in a statement in
Abuja said Dr. Jonathan stated this in a letter of goodwill to Adesina
which the former President personally signed.
Jonathan also noted that during Adesina’s years as agriculture
minister, staple food prices remained stable, even in the face of
serious challenges like the devastating floods of 2012 and the
“difficulties occasioned then by global economic recession.”
The letter reads:
“I wish to most sincerely congratulate you for your emergence as the
World Food Prize Laureate for the year 2017.
“I am not surprised that such a highly prized honour has being
conferred on you, given your outstanding and exemplary performance as
my former Minister of Agriculture.
“I must state that I have met many men in my years on earth, but few
have the intellect and the exceptional work ethic you possess.
“During your years as Nigeria’s agriculture minister and driver of my
administration’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), you
introduced several innovations like the e-wallet fertilizer and seed
distribution system which cut out the middle man, eliminated
corruption and expanded Nigeria’s ability to feed herself.
“You oversaw a programme that reduced our food import bill by almost
50%, and working with others in my administration, you helped Nigeria
become one of only a handful of nations in the world to reasonably
reduce hunger levels between 2011-2015, according to the International
Food Policy Research Institute.
“Under your guidance, Nigeria came out of the devastating floods of
2012 without a famine. I am always delighted by the fact that within
that period, and throughout the period of our administration, staple
food prices remained stable, even with the difficulty occasioned then
by global economic recession.
“I believe that these accomplishments and other laudable achievements
you recorded in your continuing service to humanity, set you apart as
the most deserving candidate for this award.
“I am proud of you, Akin. Please accept my congratulations on behalf
of my family, and all those who served with me during my
administration.”