By BASHIR ADEFAKA

All roads will, no doubt,  lead to the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), venue of the launch  and public presentation of two books written by former Chairman, Editorial Board of Vanguard, Chief Kola Animasaun.

With look of things, the occasion, which is expected to rock the whole of the arena by the weight and caliber of guests coming must have provided the long awaited opportunity for many beneficiaries of the veteran journalist’s inspiring writings in the Sunday Vanguard to express their appreciation in all its ramifications.

The launching and public presentation of Voice of Reason 2 and One Thousand Nine Hundred & Thirty Nine books authored by the veteran journalist will be held in the afternoon (12pm) of today.  The second book; One Thousand Nine Hundred & Thirty Nine, is an autobiography of the Sotofa’ye of Aiyede-Ekiti, Chief Kola Animasaun.

The programme, which is being co-hosted by the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; Lagos State’s Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola and Chairman, Vanguard Media Limited, Mr. Sam Amuka, will witness the coming together of great Nigerians like Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Governor of Osun State; Senator Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and Dr. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, who have indicated their intention to honour the great journalist with their presence.

The Asiwaju of Lagos and former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be the chairman of the occasion and the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote (GCON) will be the Chief Launcher.  Other dignitaries expected include, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomole of Edo State; Aare Arisekola Alao; Aremo Olusegun Osoba; former Minister of Communications, Major-General Tajudeen Olanrewaju; former Federal Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Lateef Okunu and his wife and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateefah Okunu.

Former Chairman, Nigerian Export Processing Zones (NEPZ) and Crown Prince of Zauzzau Emirate, Alhaji Munir Ja’afar; Prince Abdul-Jabaar Bola Ajibola (SAN); the Uthokpo Na Eze Achalla, HRM, Igwe (Dr.) Ezeoba Alex Nwokedi (OON); GMD, Global Fleet, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim; Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon; Senator Gbenga Asafa; Senator Gbenga Kaka; Senator Adegboyega Obadara; Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Senator Femi Ojudu and many others will also be at the event.

According to the  Chairman of the Coordinating Committee and Editor-In-Chief, Vanguard Newspaper, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, the books will be reviewed by two respected Journalists in person of the Chairman, Editorial Board of the Nation, Mr. Sam Omatseye and Managing Director, National Mirror Newspapers, Mr. Steve Ayorinde.

As in the first volume of Voice of Reason, the author packs a lot of humour, wit, insight and candour into his incisive style of writing. Alhaji Kola Animasaun was born on the 5th of July, 1939 and attended Abeokuta Grammar School, the London Institute of World Affairs (University of London) and the prestigious Regent Street Polythenic, London (now University of Westminster). A prolific writer, he is also the author of “Essentials of Sub-editing”, published in 1992. He is married to Alhaja Siliphat Modupeola Animasaun.