The French government has awarded Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki with the National Order of Agriculture Merit for his commitment and achievements in agriculture development in Africa.

Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, a former Prime Minister of the Republic of Niger, is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Planning and Coordinating Agency, head-quartered in Midrand, South Africa.
The award was delivered to Dr. Mayaki by the French Ambassador to South Africa, Jacques Lapouge on behalf of the French Foreign Affairss Ministry.

Dr. mayaki receives the award from France Ambassador

“Dr. Mayaki has devoted his professional life to public administration, academia and development. He has put the up-liftment of the lives of African citizens at the forefront of his work,” Ambassador Lapounge said.

According to Lapouge, the work done by Dr. Mayaki between 2004 and 2009 as an Executive Director of the Platform in support of Rural Development in West and Central Africa, the Rural Hub, based in Dakar, Senegal, has gone on to map out the Hub as one of the foremost, proactive and inclusive rural development entities in the region.

“The Hub is now at the forefront of the development of agricultural policies in West Africa and Africa,” said Lapouge.

“Your efforts to revive the progress of NEPAD are also recognised here today. Since your inception as the CEO of NEPAD, there has been acceleration in the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, the Programme for the Infrastructure Development of Africa and the roll-out of your ICTs programme”, he added.

In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Mayaki welcomed the award from France and thanked his family, friends and colleagues from his various postings for their strong support in his work.

The National Order of Agriculture Merit is awarded to people whose work has contributed to improvements in agriculture services.