A distinguished gathering convened at the Mauve 21 venue for the public presentation and launch of “The Stubborn Goat: A Citizen’s Engagement with Nigeria,” a two-volume work by public intellectual and former Head of the Department of Philosophy at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Professor Akinyemi Onigbinde, on January 26, 2025.

The event showcased prominent figures, including former Labour Party Presidential Candidate Peter Obi, former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the chairman of the event and former Governor of Ogun State. The hall buzzed with eminent attendees expressing substantial interest in the latest literary contribution from the renowned academic, whose incisive writings have been described as offering an “ethical diagnosis of Nigeria’s political, social, and economic life” and serving as a “moral center,” according to key stakeholders.

Present were Oba Adedokun Omoniyi Abolarin (Aroyinkeye 1), the Orangun of Oke Ila Orangun; former APC National Secretary Senator Iyiola Omisore; Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, Chief of Staff to the Governor of Oyo State; former Lagos State PDP gubernatorial candidate Jimi Agbaje; and human rights activist Dele Farotimi, among others.

Reflecting on the book’s themes, Peter Obi drew parallels to “Growing Apart” by Professor Peter Lewis, highlighting how both works underscore Nigeria’s tendency to recognize the right course of action yet consistently choose the wrong one.

Obi further praised the author’s patriotism and courage, stating, “What stands out in ‘The Manifesto of a Stubborn Goat’ is the author’s courage to confront Nigeria’s challenges honestly. True patriotism, in my opinion, is not about praising the country when things go wrong, but rather critically examining its failings and contributing to possible solutions. Through his essays, Professor Onigbinde performs this vital service, providing an incisive ethical diagnosis of the nation’s political, social, and economic life.”

He concluded: “The book emphasizes that citizens have a responsibility to engage, reflect, and hold both leaders and institutions accountable. It addresses pressing issues such as insecurity, the collapse of trust, the erosion of civic responsibility, and the need for ethical leadership. The metaphor of the stubborn goat—an animal that resists being quietly led to slaughter—serves as a moral center, illustrating the importance of persistence, courage, and principled resistance, even when circumstances seem overwhelming.”

Highlighting the essential role of public intellectuals in challenging the paralysis of power and advocating for social justice, foreword writer Festus Adedayo, a renowned columnist and member of the Editorial Board of the Tribune Newspaper, credited the book for “re-tabling issues that engaged discourses at the time they were written, without losing their savour.” He remarked that the author’s talent in presenting these issues as “delectable intellectual cuisine with gripping aroma” has been pivotal in achieving this objective.

During his address, Onigbinde described the work as a culmination of his decades-long engagement with various media platforms in the country, particularly through his compelling columns and articles. He noted that the title he chose to launch in honor of his 70th birthday was inspired by his mother, who often referred to him as a “stubborn goat” due to his unwavering stance on various issues.