The Academy of Public Health has awarded president of African Development Bank (AfDB) Group Akinwumi Adesina and three other persons as winners of its 2020 Distinguished Fellowship Awards.
The other recipients are World Health Organisation’s Tedros Ghebreyesus, Leith Greenslade of JustActions, and Winnie Byanyima of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, according to a statement from AfDB on Monday.
The academy, a principal body of the West African Institute of Public Health, stated that the recipients were nominated by young public health professionals across Africa.
They were nominated for their demonstrated leadership in working to ensure equity, better health and wellbeing for all.
“Dr Akinwumi Adesina of the African Development Bank was particularly recognised for his action leadership in quickly moving the AfDB to provide the financial bulwark to the African Union as well as some of its member states to help curb Africa’s COVID-19 pandemic.
“He was also noted for engendering thought leadership through the AfDB to shape actions in the COVID and post COVID era for Africa’s economies and health systems,” the academy stated.
In response, Adesina said: “I am greatly honoured to be selected to receive the Distinguished Fellowship of the West African Academy of Public Health together with Dr Tedros, Winnie Byanyima and Leith Greenslade!
“Africa and the rest of the world will overcome this pandemic against all odds.”
The academy stated that a ceremony to honour the recipients would be held in 2021, adding that the recipients were being notified of their recognition and date for a virtual investiture.
