By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin

Former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations(UN), Prof. Tijani Muhammadu Bande has said that the desperation for change of leadership in the West African countries by Military forces was due to poor leadership.

Prof. Bande made this disclosure in Ilorin, Kwara state capital on Thursday during the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellows Alumni Association of Nigeria(COSFAN) event to celebrate the 80th birthday of former Chief of Staff(CoS) to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari.
The event was also used to unveil the book written by the COSFAN titled, “Readings In Diplomacy, Democracy, Peace and Development” in honour of Prof. Gambari.

Bande added that military government is on the rise in African countries because of glaring cases of flawed elections and a sense that elections hardly remove bad leaders which have been giving a veneer of support for the military interventions.

Prof. Bande who is the book reviewer at the event stated that, “Most changes to the Constitution in West Africa countries are about more powers to the President but yet, there is little to show that concentrated power meant improvement in the lives of citizens and Togo and Guinea are cases in point”.

He said, “In other places, violence followed the weak transparency of governments. So, Coup D’etats happened in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic.

“Justifications of these acts are mainly from security to poverty, to loss of sovereignty to erstwhile colonial powers.

“Certainly, frustration with flawed elections and a sense that elections hardly remove bad leaders have given a veneer of support to some for this dangerous direction.

“For example in Mali, the failure to secure people for a decade played into the hands of the coupists as the death toll reached 2,000 people. One and half million became refugees. Street protests against President Boubacar Keita was taken advantage of by military”.

Prof. Bande also canvassed for ethics in governance and social relations saying that, the development would help the country in her challenges and also make progress.

He stated that, “Because of the multiple diversities characterising Nigeria, values and norms are not uniform. Furthermore, technology, migration and urbanisation and the erosion of traditional values among other things have impacted behaviour and norms”.

He added that, “Dysfunctional and corruption behaviour must be removed in Nigeria otherwise the incessant search for material wealth at all costs will continue to fuel inefficiency, inequality, inferior standards and even violence.

He noted further that, “Agencies for dealing with these ills such as ICPC, EFCC, NOA, NDLEA, have made their contributions but the problem has continued unabated .

“There appears to be no deterent effect on the behaviour of both leaders and followers.

“There is much that agents of socialisation can do to continue the old tradition of separating right from wrong. Without this, development would be near impossible”.

Prof Bande who described the celebrant, Prof Gambari as a committed Nigerian and Internationalist said that, his exposures have touched peace and development globally and regionally.

The National President of COSFAN, Dr. Ekundayo Samuel in his welcome speech said that,”We are here to honour a diplomat, a scholar, a true luminary, and a cherished Patron of COSFAN, as he marks his 80th birthday.

“This occasion is made even more special as we present a festschrift titled ‘Reading in Diplomacy, Democracy, Peace and Development’, a tribute that encapsulates a lifetime of dedication, intellect, and service to humanity.

“This book is not just a collection of essays or research outputs; it is a testament to the influence our honouree has had on countless lives, shaping the minds of future leaders and inspiring a generation of scholars, thinkers, and doers.

He added that, “At 80, H. E. Amb. Prof Ibrahim Agboola Gambari is a testament to the power of lifelong learning and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.

“He has shown us that age is not a barrier but a gateway to deeper understanding and greater impact.

In his remarks at the occasion, Kwara state governor and Chairman Nigeria’s Governors Forum(NGF) Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said he was proud of the celebrant saying that,, “We are always proud that the mention of Prof. Ibrahim Gambari instantly commands respect and honour across all spectrums owing to his contributions to scholarship, international diplomacy and world peace, as well as national unity and development at various times”.

Represented at the event by his Deputy, Mr. Kayode Alabi, Mallam AbdulRazaq said that, “This gathering is another testament to the standing of this global statesman.

“Written in honour of Prof. Gambari, Readings in Diplomacy, Democracy, Peace and Development is a book I want all of us to read as our world evolves and grapples with emerging challenges of the new media and unfettered freedom, the rise of nonstate actors with differing perspectives on the concept of diplomacy, democracy, peace and development, and the shifting nature of the international system and power dynamics.

“While many of these issues may defy textbook prescriptions, I believe firmly that scholarly research and insights on such topics are always useful in our search for practical and sustainable solutions.

“I, therefore, thank the Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows Alumni Association, organizers of this programme, for their love for our own Prof Gambari and their passion for knowledge, understanding of the world as it is, and national development.

“On behalf of the people and government of our state, I congratulate His Excellency Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, CFR, on his 80th birthday and I wish him many more years of happiness and contributions to national and global peace as an international statesman”.

Nigeria’s former representatives to the United Nations, and the elated celebrant Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari,in his speech described himself as an accidental diplomat judging by his childhood and educational background.

According to him,”they plan, I plan but God is the best planner, says the Holy Quran. Up till now, I still tell people to refer to me as teacher by training and diplomat by accident because I did not want to be a diplomat. But, look at what the Almighty Allah has done to compel me from a person who went to a primary school in Bode Saadu and Malete in the now Moro local government area of Kwara state to become one time president of United Nations Security Council.

“I served my country as longest serving ambassador at the United Nations. That was not also a happy period because I was constant in Nigeria’s standing in the world when we have so many issues at home. I had five Presidents during my period as ambassador; Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Sanni Abacha, Abdulsalami Abubakar and briefly under President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“Now, if somebody who started in a village primary school in Bode Saadu and another senior village primary school in Malete, then to Ilorin provincial secondary school, now Government Secondary School (GSS) , Ilorin; then really the sky is the limit for everyone with God’s guidance and protection.

“How could I have imagined that the primary school I attended in Malete could then become a location of the first Kwara State- owned university and I was made the first pioneer Chancellor of the university. I thank God. We’re all in the hands ofthe Almighty God. His will shall be done. We only need to do our best and leave the rest in the hands of the Almighty.

“Charity begins at home and that’s why I have not been far from home and never been far from my own people. And I look forward to spend the rest of my life in the service of, first, my people, the state, the nation, Africa and the rest of the world.

“That’s the essence of the concentric cycle of the foreign policy which I have always advocated and the centre must be the state, next our neighbour, region (ECOWAS), Africa and the rest of the world. Now, foreign policy shifts from administration to administration but in essence, it must be pursued in those frameworks and context.

“Foreign policy is the definition of the interests of your country and the projection of those interests so that in the process you will say what you want as a nation in the world and how do you conduct yourself in such a way to attain them in the interest of your country”, he said.

In her opening remarks, Chairperson of the Local Organizing Committee, Dr. Abiola Adimula, described the occasion as a monumental celebration of excellence, service and leadership.

She lauded Professor Gambari as a “distinguished academic, resourceful professional, astute technocrat, and world diplomat,” whose contributions to international diplomacy, democratic development and global peace are indelible.

Reflecting on the honoree’s legacy, Dr. Adimula highlighted his mentorship of scholars and professionals worldwide, noting his impact as the former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari and his global contributions to peace and security.

Dr. Adimula recounted the challenges faced in bringing the book project to fruition, which began as early as 2019.

She expressed gratitude for the support of institutional partners, including the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD), and other academic institutions.

“Looking back, I am glad the previous attempts failed because today’s event surpasses all expectations in brilliance and splendour,” she said.

The book, a collection of 34 well-researched papers by global scholars, aims to serve as a reference for diplomacy, democracy, peace, and development studies. Dr. Adimula announced that part of the proceeds from the book launch would establish a Professorial Chair and research fund on Diplomacy and Peace Studies at the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, as a lasting legacy in honour of Prof. Gambari.

Goodwill messages were made at the event especially from Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Vice chancellor of University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole(SAN), among others.