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By Godfrey Olukya 29-9-2012
The African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) has given awards to leaders, individuals and organizations for promoting a green
revolution in Africa.
The awards gala dinner at which some leaders, senior journalists, scientists, administrators were awarded was held last evening in North Tanzania town of Arusha.
According to AGRF officials, the awards are meant to create awareness of public and private initiatives to build a sustainable African
agri-business industry, inspire a Green Revolution in Africa and make Africa food and nutrition secure.
Among the high diginitaries at the function were, chief guest, Tanzanian’s president Jakaya Kikwete, former UN chief Kofi
Annan and Jørgen Ole Haslestad of Yara International.
Dr. Namanga Ngongi received Lifetime Achievement Award of AGRF for his contribution to the transformation of Africa’s agricultural
sector. Dr. Ngongi has reportedly had a diverse career in both agriculture and security, beginning in his native Cameroon, where he
worked as an agricultural extension officer for the Ministry of Agriculture, helping farmers to improve yields and to diversify and
market their crops.
He also served in a number of roles,like, he was attached to the Cameroon Embassy in Rome, served as Deputy Executive of the World Food Programme, and was appointed as Undersecretary-General and Special Representative and Head of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Also awarded were Dr. Agnes Kalibata, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources in Rwanda, and Dr. Eleni Gabre-Madhin, outgoing CEO of the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange in Ethiopia.
Dr. Agnes Kalibata was recognized for her outstanding leadership in the transformation of food security and agricultural development in Rwanda. Dr. Gabre-Mahdin was honored for her remarkable stewardship of the transformation process toward an efficiently functioning market, especially for small holder coffee producers in Ethiopia.
The media Journalism award went to Joshua Kato from Uganda. The private sector organizations award went to Neema Agricole du Faso (Nafaso) from Burkina Faso and of farmers organizations went to Faso Jigi of Mali.
President Jakaya Kikwete, in his speech said,’ I thank AGRF for recognizing those who have worked tirelssly in promoting green
revolution in Africa. I call upon all Africans to protect their environment.’
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