By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former President Muhammadu Buhari and a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Mohammed Indimi, among other distinguished Nigerians, will on Thursday converge on Ilorin, Kwara state capital for a book presentation on Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (1990 to 1999), Ambassador Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari.

The book project, titled, READINGS IN DIPLOMACY, DEMOCRACY, PEACE, AND DEVELOPMENT and compiled by scholars from six Nigerian universities by the Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows Alumni Association, Nigeria (COSFAN), is organized in commemoration of the 80th birthday celebrations of the distinguished diplomat.

Recall that Professor Gambari was appointed Chief of Staff by President Muhammadu Buhari while in office.

The scholars in the book were drawn from the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State University, (KWASU), Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Ahman Pategi University, Bayero University, Kano, and Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, the President of COSFAN, Dr. Ekundayo Samuel, said that the book launch would serve as an opportunity to highlight lessons drawn from Professor Gambari’s decades of experience in diplomacy, governance and peacebuilding.

He said that the event would offer valuable insights for the future of Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.

“As we celebrate Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari’s 80th birthday and the launch of his festschrift, we are not only honouring his remarkable achievements, but also reaffirming our commitment to the values he has tirelessly championed: peace, good governance, and youth empowerment.

“His legacy serves as a beacon of hope and a powerful reminder that transformative change is possible when we invest in education, diplomacy, and inclusive leadership.

“As we reflect on his contributions and look ahead to the next chapter of Africa’s development, let us honour Prof. Gambari’s legacy by recommitting ourselves to the pursuit of peace, the strengthening of democratic institutions, and the empowerment of youth. Together, we can build on his vision to create a world where every child’s rights are protected, every community is engaged, and every individual has the opportunity to thrive”.

Also speaking, Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of COSFAN, emeritus Professor Olugbemiro Jegede, said that members of the association saw the need to give back to the society by making others know the values that the honouree stood for.

Prof. Jegede said Prof. Gambari’s achievement was a testament to the fact that many good things can still come out Nigeria.

The emeritus professor, who is pioneer head of National Open University (NOUN) also disabused minds of Nigerians against craze to leave Nigeria to travel to foreign countries for greener pastures.

He explained that ,”those Nigerians who Japa as people call it, to foreign countries,the greener pastures were made by some people,so stay back in Nigeria and make your own pastures greener.”

He stressed that,”we have all that it takes,we can develop our own country too and make it first among the equals in Africa.Those who are in abroad don’t have two heads.”

Jegede also said that the kind of education the white men gave us was not meant to keep us in Nigeria and develop our country hence when people travel outside the country they don’t want to come back.

He further said that the tragedy of those who travel for greener pastures is that their generations to come won’t return to Nigeria again contrary to the common saying that “Ile labo isinmi oko.”

Also speaking, the immediate past President of COSFAN, Dr. Abiola Adimula, said that Peace studies should be included as part of subjects to be taught in secondary schools to promote peace and unity in the country.

The highlight of the event was reading of excerpts from the 268- page book written by writers within and outside Nigeria, done by 10 students of Government Secondary School, Ilorin; the secondary school that the honouree attended.

The ten selected students read various of the Book,and highlighted the many sterling qualities of Prof Gambari