DR. AKINWUMI ADESINA : A SEASONED POLICY EFFECTOR
A young vibrant, dedicated and successor who made an incomparable impact in the agricultural and economic sustainability of Federal Republic of Nigeria. He's versatile and a compassionate African that believed in the strenght of the fertile land to make any Africa country great through agriculturisation.
Born about 56years ago into the family of a farmer and proceeded to study agriculture (family heritage) from bachelor degree at Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife up to PhD at Purdue University. He's a renowned and seasoned farmer. Family background made a positive impact in his achievement.
He served at Rockefeller Foundation as a senior scientist in 1988 and rose to Associate Director for Food Security in 2003 till 2008. A proud born farmer became the Minister of Agriculture of Federal Republic of Nigeria 2010 - 2015. He emphasized on discipline, transparency, and accountability at the ministry. Corruption destroyed the ministry thus contribute less than 3%GDP. Adesina's first priority was the "loggerhead "among farmers on fertiliser. He achieved transparency in fertiliser supply chain. He systematically ended about 40years of corruption in the fertilizer purchase and distributions. Present success in fertiliser accessibility, stability, and affordability was the crowned effort of the scientific farmer - Dr. Akinwumi.
He revitalised Nigeria economy through agriculture. After first oil exploration in Nigeria, agriculture became less lucrative and unattractive. Adesina made it attractive when private sectors investment in agriculture hit $5. 6b. As agric minister, Nigeria realised #778 billion as revenue from mainly five crops. This added value to GDP of the country. Now, every government recognised potentials investment in agriculture as a vital tool in national development. Diversified economy sustains than monopolized economy. Rice, maize, and cassava are major staple foods in Nigeria, these items were affordable and accessible under Adesina watchdog. Yet the current minister Chief Audu Ogbe with his inconsistency and unsustainable policy had made these commodities scarce and expensive.
Dr. Akinwumi developed several initiatives, some saw the light of the day while others burried. Mobile phones for farmers in rural areas to receive essential and update on the farming, some cabals in the system killed the initiative. He also launched a scheme labelled GES - Growth Enhancement Support, which is a farm support initiative, where all registered farmers in the country paid 50% cost for the seeds and fertilizers. Adesina served as Vice President of Policy and Partnership for Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) with aim and objective of boosting soilfertility, seed availability and improved marketing access. Due to the tremendous achievement he received an award of YARA Prize for the African Green Revolution in 2007. Such intellect should not be giving away to international organisations because his input is valued.
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina is the first Nigerian, 8th President of the African Development Bank succeeding Donald Kaberuka - A Rwanda nationale in September 1, 2015. Within short period that he emerged as President AfDB, He had made tremendous achievement in the continent. He's recipient of several awards locally and international. Adesina is a visionary, dynamic, policy-effector, skilled, intelligent, brilliant and workaholic Nigerian. He's a performer and not a story teller.
My uncle - Professor Ajibade Bayo-Lawal, a classmate and friend to Adesina's elder brother at Ejigbo Baptist High School once told me that " while in EBHS Adesina was very young, brilliant, agile, talented and loved farming. He will revive Nigeria Agriculture to competes favourably if given enough time to serve. "
OMOLOLA ADAMS OLATAYO
PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTISE
adamsolatayo@gmail.com