Akinwumi Adesina, the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) president, has been conferred with the National Diaspora Merit Award by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).

A statement by the AfDB said Adesina was honoured in recognition of his selfless service and contributions as a Nigerian “diaspora global icon.”

The statement said he was honoured alongside other recipients in the global icon category, such as the United Nations deputy secretary general Amina Mohammed and the director-general of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Receiving the award on behalf of Mr Adesina, the AfDB director-general (Nigeria Country Department), Lamin Barrow expressed gratitude to NIDCOM for recognising Mr Adesina’s outstanding achievements and contributions to Nigeria and the continent’s development efforts.

“The award will inspire him further to continue his unrelenting efforts for Nigeria and Africa’s transformation,” Mr Barrow said.

“I thank NIDCOM, and I am pleased to accept the award with humility. I am deeply touched by this acknowledgement of my modest contributions to finance and economics and my recognition as a role model to other Nigerians in the diaspora,” said Mr Adesina.

As AfDB president, Mr Adesina achieved the highest-ever capital increase and led swift responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has received numerous accolades, including the World Food Prize and African of the Year.

More than 20 other Nigerians in the diaspora, including Emeritus Professor Augustine Esogbue, Mobolaji Aluko, and Rotimi Jayesimi, received awards in various categories.

The categories include education, politics, information and communications technology, leadership development, medicine and healthcare, automobiles, philanthropy, and sports.

Meanwhile, NIDCOM CEO Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the conferment of a National Diaspora Merit Award on Adesina was in recognition of his selfless service.

“This award is predicated upon the importance of recognising and celebrating Nigerians in the diaspora who have excelled in their various fields of endeavour and contributed to the development of Nigeria,” stated Ms Dabiri-Erewa. “These exceptional Nigerians have, over time, contributed to making Nigeria a better place in their own capacities.”

She added, “It is thus important that the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Commission, recognise their remarkable feats.” 

(NAN)