Nigeria’s Minister for Agriculture Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has been named 2013 Forbes Africa Person of the Year. He beat Aliko Dangote of Dangote Group and Chairman of the Zenith Bank Group, Jim Ovia, Strive Masiyiwa, founder of global telecoms group, Econet Wireless in Zimbabwe and South African mining magnate, Patrice Motsepe to win the prize.
Dr. Adesina was nominated for his bold reforms in Nigeria’s agriculture sector. His initiatives have empowered more than six million farmers across Nigeria to embrace agriculture as a business.
He has been described as a passionate defender of African farmers, relentless in unlocking opportunities for farmers and changing Africa’s narrative on agriculture to wealth creation, away from poverty reduction.
“I am truly honoured and humbled by this prestigious award, which I dedicate to Africa’s farmers and the new cadre of young business entrepreneurs who have discovered the hidden gem for sustainable wealth creation on our continent – Agriculture,” Adesina said reciving the award.
According to Chris Bishop, Forbes Africa’s managing editor: “It was an honour to present this award in Kenya, for the first time, in the month of the country’s 50th birthday. Akinwumi Adesina was considered a worthy winner by the judges as he is a man on a mission to help Africa feed itself. We hope it will encourage the rest of the continent to grow more of its own food. Also, last year, we presented a Kenyan with the award in Nigeria – this year it was the other way round, which shows how much Forbes Africa is pan African.”
A Lifetime Achievement Award was also given to Manu Chandaria, founder of East African industry conglomerate, Comcraft Group of Companies. “Through his establishment of the East Africa Business Council, Chandaria has been a driving force in the rollout of the East African Community, which has provided local corporations with wider avenues, thus enabling their growth. With a combined GDP of around $100 billion and a population of 140 million people, it is a huge step in the right direction towards intra-African trade,” said Davlynne Lidbetter, general manager of Forbes Africa, in her speech congratulating Chandaria.
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