By Peter Oyedele, Abuja

Development professional Ipoade Omilaju has marked his 60th birthday with the launch of a book, The Smiling Coast and I: Finding Purpose and Legacy in The Gambia, documenting his professional experiences and lessons on leadership, civil society development and sustainable development in Africa.

The book was launched on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at an event attended by current and former country directors of ActionAid and other professionals in the development sector.

Among those associated with the occasion was Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria.

The publication combines personal narratives with professional insights into gender justice, institutional development, civil society partnerships and the need to sustain development outcomes beyond individual projects.

Drawing on his assignment in The Gambia, Omilaju recounts his experiences working in a different cultural environment while examining how partnerships, effective leadership and strong institutions can contribute to lasting social change.

A major focus of the book is the Gender Promoting Initiative (GPI 2.0) Project, through which the author explores civil society partnerships, organisational assessments, governance, capacity development and institutional sustainability.

The book also examines Gambian society, culture and political history, including the country’s transition from authoritarian rule and efforts to strengthen democratic governance.

Reviewing the publication, Dr Otive Igbuzor, founding executive director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), described it as a valuable contribution to African development literature.

Igbuzor said the continent’s development challenges were not merely a question of inadequate resources but also involved leadership, strategy, institutional capacity and effective implementation.

He commended Omilaju for bridging the gap between development theory and practical experience, particularly through his documentation of efforts to strengthen civil society organisations and promote gender equality.

According to the reviewer, the combination of professional reflections and personal storytelling offers readers insights into Gambian hospitality, cultural differences and the relationships that shape development interventions.

However, Igbuzor suggested that future editions could provide a more systematic account of the results achieved through the GPI 2.0 Project, including measurable improvements in institutional capacity and the sustainability of those outcomes.

The launch also featured a keynote address by Dr Hussaini Abdu titled Africa Peacekeeping: The Role and Capacity of Civil Society in Women’s Participation, followed by a plenary discussion.

Dr Goje Mohammed, Secretary to the Yobe State Government, was listed as the special guest.

Beyond documenting the author’s professional experiences, the book raises questions about the long-term impact of development interventions and what remains after projects end and the professionals who implement them move on.

Igbuzor stressed that the success of development work should not be measured solely by the number of projects completed, workshops organised or reports produced, but by the institutions strengthened, capacities developed and positive changes sustained.

He also emphasised the importance of documenting African development experiences, warning that valuable knowledge acquired by practitioners working with communities, governments and civil society organisations could be lost if it was not properly recorded.

The book’s central message is that professional achievement should be measured by the difference individuals make in the lives of others and the strength of the institutions they leave behind.

The launch, which coincided with Omilaju’s 60th birthday, provided an opportunity to reflect on purpose, service and the enduring value of professional contributions to society.

Igbuzor recommended the book to development practitioners, civil society leaders, policymakers, scholars, students and others interested in leadership and sustainable development in Africa.