Joseph Adelegan’s passion for improving the lives of ordinary Africans makes him more than qualified to be included in a list of inspirational Africans.
An engineer by training, he has used his skills to benefit communities across Africa in water and sanitation projects, construction, project management, research, policy advocacy and social entrepreneurship.
Dr Adelegan is executive director of the Global Network for Environment and Economic Development Research and chief executive of the award-winning ‘Cows to Kilowatts’ initiative. This is a partnership that aims to reduce the water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from slaughterhouse waste. It converts abattoir waste into household gas and organic fertiliser, providing local communities with clean, cheap fuel. Dr Adelegan has assisted in projects of this nature across the continent, including one scheme that converts cassava waste into electricity for rural communities.
This project earned him the World Bank Lighting Africa Development Marketplace Award in 2008. With manifold awards to his name, Dr Adelegan believes the secret to success in Africa lies in good leadership.
“Most of what is celebrated as success today in the academia, business and political arena is not true success,” he says. “True success is not a sudden rise to political power or wealth accumulation. True success starts with a sense of purpose and destiny. I mean visionary leadership.”
As to Africa’s perception abroad, he believes that the best way to improve the continent’s “dented image” is to understand the root causes.
“We blame the political leaders but we need to look inwards to address the problem. The emergence of people motivated by personal convictions rather than personal benefits and actions based on personal values and convictions will change the story,” he says.
Joseph Adelegan’s African hero: Dr William Folorunso Kumuyi, general superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry.
“My African hero is one of the authentic leaders of our time, a rare combination of academic excellence and altruism with integrity.”