The much-awaited public presentation of the book, “Leading From The Streets: Media Interventions By A Public Intellectual, 1999-2019,” authored by myself, took place at the prestigious Alliance Française/Mike Adenuga, Ikoyi, Lagos, with aplomb on Wednesday, 8th May 2024. It was a three-in-one event that featured the unveiling of the book, a panel discussion on the theme “Tinubunomics: What’s Working, What’s Not Working, Why, And Way Forward,” and honors bestowed on six exemplary leaders from outside the corridors of power for their contributions to society by Leading From The Streets and not corridors of political power.
The public presentation and unveiling of the book were attended by Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who served as the chairman of the occasion, the former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Segun Osoba, a media royalty, former Cross Rivers State governor, the effervescent Mr. Donald Duke, and the man who charted a path for me in politics, former Delta State governor and irrepressible national political leader, Chief James Ibori. Intellectual governors, Prof. Charles Soludo of Anambra State, and his Edo State counterpart, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, were unavoidably absent as they are outside the shores of our country, but they sent words and representatives.
The private sector was also well represented, with the Chairman of HEIRS Holdings/UBA, Mr. Tony Elumelu, represented by the company secretary of UBA, Mr. Billy Odum, as well as Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, GMD/CEO of First Bank Holding, in attendance, personally amongst many others such as Mr. Henry Imasekha, an investment banker/Chairman of Berkely Group, and Mr. J.K Randle, one of the foremost accountants in our country. Other private sector players, too numerous to list in this short piece, were well represented, and we are most grateful to all of them.
As one of the readers of the book pointed out, because it captures the socioeconomic and political developments in Nigeria between 1999 and 2019 in one volume, any researcher who wants to learn about the dynamics of change in the evolution of politics, societal issues, and the economy of Nigeria should plan to have the book as a companion because it would be a useful compass.
Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who is the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, was unable to personally attend the event due to prior engagements but offered to send a representative to attend on his behalf. In a letter affirming his support for the book, he made the following observation: “By documenting history in books, we make ourselves part of the timeless fabric of humanity. That is as close to immortality as we can hope for.” He then concluded by stating: “For many years, you have been one of the preeminent public intellectuals in our country. I’m glad that your contributions through the years are now available in one easily accessible volume, and I congratulate you on this publication.”
The Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila’s complimentary statement provides the answer to the question that has been agitating the minds of some Nigerians who have been wondering why I published “Leading From The Streets,” which was presented to the public on 8th May. As the Chief of Staff to President Tinubu rightly noted, the book chronicles my personal contributions to nation-building through media articles spanning two decades of Nigeria’s return to multi-party democracy now encapsulated in one tome.
