Yesterday was Professor Akinwande Bolaji Akinyemi’s 80th birthday. And for his countless exemplary roles, outstanding achievements and glittering credentials, numerous tributes are being aptly dedicated to celebrating the accomplished octogenarian, who exemplifies the best of Africans.
Professor Akinyemi’s path to 80 is a long journey of distinction and immutable footprint in international diplomacy. His life and career are a mirror for Diplomats and Scholars with eyes for distinction. Simple, humble and gentle will be some of the epithets to describe Professor Akinyemi, but these three have their foundation in his vision and doggedness.
The brilliant diplomat who became Nigeria’s External Affairs Minister in 1985 at 43 is known for setting records and breaking them. He is so self-driven that he surpasses himself effortlessly. Earning a PhD at 27 remains an outstanding feat even 53 years after Professor Bolaji Akinwande Akinyemi set the record for generations of academics to chase. Becoming the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) at 33 and earning his professorship at 41 are some of the impressive figures that adorn the scholar’s curriculum vitae.
Before his announcement to the world, Professor Akinyemi had prepared himself and taken advantage of his youth. May be that is something peculiar to anyone named Akinwande if we x-ray the life of our own Professor Oluwole…
