AfDB president, Adesina, bags Kenya’s highest national honour
The President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has been conferred with Kenya’s highest national honour, Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart.
According to a statement from the Continental Bank on Tuesday, Adesina becomes the 20th recipient of the honour that was established in 1967 and first awarded to Kenya’s founding father and former president, Jomo Kenyatta.
The award was bestowed on the former Nigerian minister by President William Ruto at the investiture ceremony held at Nairobi’s State House, where Ruto praised Adesina’s distinguished service, commitment, and passion for the economic development of Kenya and Africa.
He said, “You are amazing. You are a great leader. You deserve this honour and investiture.”
According to the statement, both Ruto and Adesina have had a relationship that dates back 20 years, when Adesina lived and worked in Kenya for the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa. At that time Ruto was Kenya’s Minister for Agriculture.
Both recalled how they worked together to provide subsidies to farmers despite opposition at the time from some donors and global financial institutions.
President Ruto said under his presidency he has continued with the same policy of offering subsidies to farmers, leading to an increase in the country’s food production.
“Our maize production increased from 40 million to 70 million bags last year. Our sales from tea generated more than 220 billion shillings [approximately $1.7bn], the highest ever earnings,” President Ruto told Adesina, who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Grace Yemisi Adesina.
He continued, “I am proud of the journey we started together ten years ago; I can see its fruits. Kenyans can feel its benefits.”
In his acceptance speech, Adesina said, “I am greatly humbled by your incredible kindness! What a great honour! What a rare privilege! What a historic recognition!
“This is an honour that I will cherish for life. It will be a constant reminder that the country I love so much, Kenya, loves me back, appreciates and celebrates my leadership at the African Development Bank, and values and honours the incredible contributions of the bank to its development. I accept this honour with great humility.”
Adesina spoke about Kenya’s special place in the history of the AfDB, which was established in 1964. Since then, the bank has financed a total of 167 projects, with a financial commitment of $7.8bn.
He said the bank’s current portfolio in Kenya consists of 45 projects worth $4.09bn.
Speaking about Kenya’s high youth unemployment, Adesina pointed to several youth riots that shook the country last year.
In addition to providing $309m for eight ongoing projects targeting skills development, Adesina said the bank is preparing for Board approval and financial support for the establishment of a Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank of Kenya.
“This will be a stand-alone financial institution that will be 100 per cent dedicated to providing technical assistance, debt and equity financing for youth businesses in Kenya,” he said.
Adesina was accompanied by the Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, Dr Kevin Kariuki; the Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery, Nnenna Nwabufo; the Director-General for East Africa, Kennedy Mbekeani; the Executive Director for Eastern Africa, Jonathan Nzayikorera; and his Senior Advisor to the President for Communication and Stakeholder Engagement, Dr Victor Oladokun, who delivered the opening prayer for the ceremony.
Others who have received the GGH include former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni and Kenya’s subsequent presidents, Daniel Arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta and Dr Ruto.
