Some weeks before the 2014 National Conference rose to bid farewell to officials and delegates, the Lamido Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu
Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha sent a letter to him. It was dated June 27. The
Lamido indicated that the Adamawa Emirate Council would like to
honour the officer with a chieftaincy title. Six qualities endeared him to
the Emirate, according to its custodian: patience, expertise, fairness,
fearlessness, justness and firmness.
In the letter, Alhaji Mustapha noted: “I have observed your patience,
expertise in handling of the National Conference, fairness, fearlessness,
justness and firmness during the three months I have been participating
in the plenary of the Conference. These are things which informed my
decision to honour you with the traditional title of Hasken Adamawa,
which means the ‘Light of Adamawa’”.
With expressed humility and profound sense of appreciation the man
received the Lamido’s letter; and accepted the emirate’s honour with
pride. Few weeks after delegates must have all settled in their homes,
and some completed their Ramadan obligations, the Adamawa Emirate
went agog. And Akinwande Bolaji Akinyemi, professor of political
science, a man from Osun State, South West Nigeria, became the “Light
of Adamawa”. He was born on January 4, 1942. January 4, 2022, makes him 80 years old. He is now an octogenarian.
Conferment of titles in Nigeria often comes with exaggerated platitudes.
Usually done to confer status and justify the action. The conferrer
usually paints the conferee in glowing colours, even if not real. Not this
one! Those associated with Prof Akinyemi or have encountered him, no
matter how brief, would corroborate the Lamido’s observation about the
erudite scholar and celebrated diplomat. He is not enamoured of titles.
He is used to them; and so would not be unnecessarily excited about an
addition. Titles rain on him. It would be a wonder if he is able to reel off-
hand all the academic, professional social and cultural titles he has
garnered in his 80 years of sojourn on earth.
The fact remains explicitly that the man has traversed the global space
and has left imprints that easily recommend him for acknowledgement,
appreciation and recognition. The 2014 National Conference was one of
such stops where he pulled off a brilliant performance which almost
everyone acknowledged and commended. When that offer by the
Lamido was announced at plenary, it received a standing ovation. That
was a clear endorsement. Diligence has become his signature. He
stamps it everywhere he goes. That is why he comes highly
recommended for tasking assignments, even in retirement.
If Prof Akinyemi was not at the 2014 National Conference, the story
would certainly not have been that exciting. He acted the bridge-builder
at every contentious intersection and worked with the few real patriots
among the delegates to see that situations never tipped over. As would
be expected at convocations where tribesmen jostle for relevance, an
intermediary often gets a black eye. He did get; a number of times. That
notwithstanding, his eyes remained on the ball.
Even at the level of the Conference leadership, his role was obvious; but
much more than that, his mien was soothing. Whenever there was a
disagreement, misunderstanding or jostling for power, he would step in
to interpret the mandate and offer a leeway. He is a man of monumental
sagacity. He would acknowledge the chairman, the Hon Justice Idris
Legbo Kutigi as a man of integrity, a man with an open mind. He gives
credit to the leader and tells anyone who cares to know that “we all owe
the success of the Conference to Justice Kutigi.”
True, Justice Kutigi who died on October 21, 2018 was also an
intellectual giant in his field – Law. He retired after serving as the Chief
Justice of Nigeria (CJN). He was very jovial and patient, but could not
stand those who wear arrogance as a virtue. Whenever he was tempted
to feel feverish, Professor Akinyemi would step in with a balm. And the
situation would be arrested.
Notwithstanding, and where necessary, Professor Akinyemi could be
very insistent on those things he is passionate about; even if standing
alone. Rather than accede just for the sake of it, he tries to convince and buy over. He is neither interested in popular narratives nor dispositions; he interrogates issues and makes his decisions based on reality, fact and commonsense. He disagrees with his friends, colleagues and compatriots on some very critical subject matters. They sometimes assume it is betrayal or that he has sold out. But you need to convince him to the contrary. That is what he does also. Convince and convict. So the Lamido’s observations on him were real. No exaggerations. Not patronising!
He sits conveniently on any seat and delivers with intellect and panache.
He is calm, cerebral, sociable; but very firm. In his consciousness,
frowns jump in between smiles. He often begins with a welcoming smile;
but when taken for granted, he frowns; and then returns with a
reassuring smile. I learnt it is the nature of diplomats, but this one is a
diplomat extraordinaire. He wears trust like his trade-mark bow-tie. He
makes friends easily. Although he is very jovial, patient and tactical, he
does not welcome betrayal with hugs.
In the common parlance, it could be said that the name Professor Bolaji
Akinyemi rings a bell. That bell started ringing since when he graduated
with a Bachelor of Arts (cum laude) from Temple University,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. in 1964. He moved over to the
Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Massachusetts,
U.S.A. where he obtained a Master of Arts degree in International Affairs
(1965) and then to Trinity College, Oxford where he bagged the D. Phil.
(Oxon) in 1969. Ever since, the bell has been ringing. Now he is 80; and
the bell is still ringing. Lest I forget, he is an Igbobi College old boy.
It is an indisputable fact that Akinyemi is one of Nigeria’s most
celebrated intellectuals. His foray traverses spheres, platforms and
subject matters. His imprints are on the sands of the major continents of
the world; and in some of the most prestigious institutions across the
globe. Back home, he is a familiar name in institutions – academic,
corporate, community and governance. He has served in both the
military and civilian political dispensations. He has led several diplomatic
shuttles to countries and world bodies on behalf of his country and
global institutions.
His citation is intimidating. His feathers are legion – colourful plumes that
would make the Peacock green with envy. He was the chairman of the
National Think Tank (2007); member, Presidential Committee for the
Resolution of Conflicts in Nigeria (2013); member, Presidential Electoral
Reform Committee (2007 – 2008) and Minister of External Affairs (1985– December 1987) during which period he initiated the Technical Aids Corp. That initiative saw Nigerian professionals being sent abroad for volunteer work; to promote the country’s image and status as a major
contributor to Third World development.
He was the Director General, Nigeria Institute of International Affairs
(NIIA), Lagos (1975 – 1983) and in his time the Institute became a
household name bubbling with research and institutional activities. He
was the deputy chairman of the 2014 National Conference, a body set
up by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to address weighty issues
that have over the years been canvassed by the different stakeholders,
but which were routinely ignored. It was an important national project
aimed at realistically examining and genuinely resolving long standing
hurdles to national cohesion and harmonious development of the
country. It was to discuss the future and particularly the unity of the
Nigerian federation.
He has walked the academic corridors severally and gallantly. He has
been a Visiting Professor in African Studies, DePauw University,
Indiana, U.S.A (1960 – 1970); Instructor in Politics of Developing
Nations, North-Eastern University, Boston, U.S.A. (1965 – 66); Visiting
Professor in Political Science, Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.A (1970);
Lecturer and later Senior Lecturer in Political Science, University of
Ibadan, Nigeria (1970 – 1975); Visiting Professor, Graduate Institute of
International Studies, Geneva (1977); Visiting Professor, Diplomacy
Training Programme, University of Nairobi, Kenya (1977); Regent’s
Lecturer, University of California, Los Angeles, California (February
1979); Visiting Overseas Scholar, St John’s College, Cambridge (1984);
and Professor of Political Science, University of Lagos (1983 – 1986).
He has held more than 10 international consultancy posts and published
more than 15 books and 42 articles, among others.
He is not done yet. Up till now he runs an online weekly interactive
programme “truMyeyes with Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi” (Thursdays) during
which he shares his views on various international events. On January
9, the Ijseha Society will in Lagos be hosting a lecture in his honour with
the topic: Prof. Bolaji A. Akinyemi @ 80. The lecture, which will also
feature a book presentation, is to be delivered by former Foreign Affairs
Minister, Mr Henry Odein Ajumogobia.
Prof. Akinyemi is a Life member of Clare Hall, University of Cambridge,
England and Fellow, Centre for International Studies, University of
Cambridge, England (1988 – 1990). He holds the national honour of
Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).
Being a bright and cheerful fellow, it has become part of his routine to be
sending colourful flowers to his friends and colleagues every Sunday
morning with the inscription “Have a good Sunday and a blessed week.”
So, Prof, this is also wishing you a happy birthday and a deserving
triumphal entry into the octogenarian club.
- James (FNGE) was in charge of Media and Communication at the 2014 National Conference.
