BY FEMI IYANDA

“Praise is an earned thing. It has to be deserved like an honourary degree or a hug from a child.”

– Phyllis McGinley.

THERE comes a time in the annals of a nation and, even in the history of an institution when the admiration so warmly felt for an illustrious personality is made explicit and concretized in obvious terms.

Thus, in clear attestation to the sterling qualities of one man- Tunde Babawale -as evident in his single-mindedness, industry, refinement, fecund innovativeness, vision, tenacity of purpose, among others, which have seen him promoting the philosophy and ideals of the Black race through its arts and culture and for which Nigeria and, indeed, the 59 African countries have unashamedly taken pride-that this compedium is being produced

In the words of Lord Acton: “The hallmark of a great man lies in his ability to do the best he can for the other side, and to avoid pertinacity or emphasis on his.” Little wonder, this great scholar of controlled imagination, sound judgement and native commonsense has brought to bear on his responsibilities as the chief accounting officer of CBAAC, a hitherto tepid cultural institution, those distinguishing attributes that propel him to the zenith of his career as an academic of repute.

Averagely, political appointees are regarded to be undertakers of public institutions just as historians are of past legacies. But for Babawale, a cerebral political scientist, a perspicacious scholar and a professor of political economics, changing the status quo has been his commitment. His avowed resolve since 2006 “to lift African arts and’ culture beyond the realm of antiquity” and bequeath to the Centre a world-class cultural institution has never waned even for a day.

Promoting African arts and culture

Other stakeholders in the business of promoting African arts and culture need no greater recommendation than to give him the deserving applause for his efforts. Of all the spectacular and enduring legacies attributable to the Black race as a result of successful hosting of the famed ‘FESTAC ‘77’, one knows of none more striking and singualr, and, more peculiarly rejuvenating than those series of programmes for which CBAAC has leaped to global prominence under the tenure of Tunde Babawale.

Born on 4th October, 1961 in an agrarian community- Ara Joshua- a suburb of Ife in Osun State, Western Nigeria. He was raised under a very strict Christian parentage that taught him to shun any form of orchidaceous lifestyle and inordinate desire for mundane riches which often derail men of noble intentions from making the desired impacts on their society.

An urbane man of pleasant personality, impeccable character, exemplary moral rectitude and candour, whose humility could easily pass him off as a typical average man, notwithstanding his stellar achievements as a scholar and public servant.

His foray into public service predates his appointment as Director/Chief Executive Officer (and lately Director-General) of CBAAC. Besides being a university lecturer, Babawale has held leadership positions in diverse capacities, namely: Chairman, Ford Foundation Grant Committee, University of Lagos (2002-2006); Chairman, Intellectual Nodal Contact Committee, University of Lagos (a body responsible for fashioning out ways of enhancing the implementation of the University’s vision and mission); Managing Editor, University of Lagos Journal of Politics; Secretary, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Lagos Chapter; Member, Administrative Visitation Panel to Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State; among several others.

Unarguably a lone meritocrat in the midst of bureaucrats (by virtue of his present position in CBAAC), he effectively deploys the instruments of high performance, participative leadership style and integrated approach to fast-tracking the decision – making process into achieving his set goals.

While some other political appointees act out the role of undertakers to the detriment of public instituions under their care, this historical cultural institution(CBAAC) that represents Africa’s collective memory under Tunde Babawale’s unique style, value judgement and ethical conduct has shown him off as an objective administrator not only of institutions but also of human affairs.

Objectivity, as far as Tunde Babawale is concerned, does not mean a negation of the subordinates’ ideas; rather, it makes room for the recognition of, and conscious attempt to utilise available talents and enterprise in a scientific way for the attainment of overall goals.

On the moral scale, while he could not be said to be wholly innocent of the wiles of the heart, his pranks never crossed the boundary of youthful exuberance; even that was a long way before he ventured to the pair bonding called marriage. Though he has never been a victim of Irish disease, nevertheless, he radiates cheerfulness and displays a modest sense of humour- rare attributes in ascetics and the recluse. He is quick to praise for daring deeds that add value to the system and equally unsparing in the rebuke of any act (either of omission or commission) capable of clogging the wheel of success.

A left-winger in political ideology, his detour from social activism stems from the need to impact, in a more practical way on the development of the society. In his own words: “There is a time for everything, and it is only a foolish man that will not change his tactics to reflect his circumstance.

I am committed to impacting on my society. I have not even finished the assignments given to me in CBAAC, and you think the next thing is to be talking about the economy and whatever. That is showmanship. The assignment is taking about 90 per cent of my time. I have a mandate to restructure and reposition this place and to make advocacy for the promotion of African culture a central thing in the Nigerian government policies “.

From this revelation, it is obvious that Babawale has a clear focus of his stewardship in CBAAC and as the principled person he has ever been, nothing would distract him from the pursuit of his vision for the Centre.

Thus, as he prepares for his next phase of African culture advocacy, one cannot but believe that his resolve to build on the progress of his first tenure will remain unshaken. As a trailblazer, it is hoped that he would not allow himself to be swayed by the honour of his past triumphs; rather, he will explore further, limitless potentials that lie ahead of him in order to entrench his name in the annals of the Black.