Akinwunmi Adesina has been given Kenya’s Highest National Honour by President Ruto.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that Kenya’s President, William Ruto, has awarded the nation’s highest honour, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart, to Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The ceremony took place at the State House in Nairobi, the nation’s capital on Monday, March 17.
In a post shared on X, the State House revealed that the honor was given in recognition of Adesina’s leadership of the bank and his collaboration with Kenya in the country’s development.
... read, “President William Ruto has thanked the African Development Bank (AfDB) for working with Kenya to drive critical areas of the country’s growth in the past 60 years.
“The President made the remarks when he conferred AfDB President and Chairman of the Board Akinwumi Adesina with the Chief of the Order of Golden Heart (CGH) award in Monday at State House, Nairobi.”
Ruto stated that it was an honor to present Kenya’s highest national award to Adesina.
He said, “It is an honour that I have the privilege as President, and on behalf of the people of Kenya, to award you for the distinguished service, commitment, and passion you have demonstrated for our country.”
Adesina expressed great pleasure in accepting the award.
The AfDB president said, “I am really humbled by your incredible kindness.
“What a great honour, what a rare privilege, what a historic recognition!
“The country that I love so much, Kenya, loves me back, appreciates and celebrates my leadership at the African Development Bank.
“On behalf of my dear wife and your sister, Grace, the Board of Directors at the African Development Bank, our boards of governance, the management and staff of the African Development Bank and on my own behalf, I accept this honour with great humilty.”
Adesina, who served as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development before becoming the AfDB president in 2015, lived in Kenya for nine years while working with the Rockefeller Foundation and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.