By Tim Elombah
On Thursday, November 21, 2024, the writer, publisher and scholar-activist, Dr. Ugorji Okechukwu Ugorji, fresh from campaign duties for the Harris-Walz Campaign in the US, flew to Ilorin in Kwara State, to participate in the public presentation of a book in honour of Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR. A distinguished academic and global diplomat, Gambari’s most recent career gig was as the unassuming and superlatively successful Chief of Staff (2020 – 2023) to President Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR of Nigeria.
Titled “Readings in diplomacy, democracy, peace, and development: A festschrift in honour of Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR,” the book was presented at the Kwara State Government Hall. It was hosted by the governor of the state, His Excellency Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazag, CON.
In thirty four scholarly articles, researchers and scholars from institutions around the world addressed several topics in development studies on the pages of the over 600-page book. The work was ably reviewed by Professor Tinjani Muhammad-Bande, a former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations (a position Gambari himself held for over nine years under five different Nigerian presidents).
Dr. Ugorji, who proudly identifies as a nation- building protege of Gambari, and who Gambari referred to as a family friend and younger brother, was among over five hundred dignitaries who converged in the historic city of Ilorin to pay tributes to the highly respected and celebrated super-diplomat. “As accomplished as Professor Gambari is, his humility and loyalty to friends, colleagues and mentees, is exemplary,” Ugorji says.
The festschrift in honour of Gambari was one of several activities organized to commemorate the 80th birthday of this citizen of the world who has served Nigeria all his adult life. The event was put together by the Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows Alumni Association Nigeria (COSFAN), currently headed by Dr Ekundayo Samuel. Dr. Abiola Adimula, the immediate past president of COSFAN, was the Chairperson of the Local Organizing Committee.
