Nigeria’s former representatives to the United Nations, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, has described himself as an accidental diplomat judging by his childhood and educational background.
Speaking at launch of a book in his honour, titled, Readings in Diplomacy, Democracy, Peace, and Development, organized by the Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows Alumni Association Nigeria (COSFAN), as part of activities marking Gambari’s 80th birthday, the diplomat said that he only wanted to be a school teacher.
“They plan, I plan but God is the best planner, says the Holy Quran. Up till now, I still tell people to refer to me as teacher by training and diplomat by accident because I did not want to be a diplomat. But, look at what the Almighty Allah has done to compel me from a person who went to a primary school in Bode Saadu and Malete in the now Moro local government area of Kwara state to become one time president of United Nations Security Council.
“I served my country as longest serving ambassador at the United Nations. That was not also a happy period because I was constant in Nigeria’s standing in the world when we have so many issues at home. I had five Presidents during my period as ambassador; Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Sanni Abacha, Abdulsalami Abubakar and briefly under President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“Now, if somebody who started in a village primary school in Bode Saadu and another senior village primary school in Malete, then to Ilorin provincial secondary school, now Government Secondary School (GSS) , Ilorin; then really the sky is the limit for everyone with God’s guidance and protection.
“How could I have imagined that the primary school I attended in Malete could then become a location of the first Kwara State- owned university and I was made the first pioneer Chancellor of the university. I thank God. We’re all in the hands ofthe Almighty God. His will shall be done. We only need to do our best and leave the rest in the hands of the Almighty.
“Charity begins at home and that’s why I have not been far from home and never been far from my own people. And I look forward to spend the rest of my life in the service of, first, my people, the state, the nation, Africa and the rest of the world.
“That’s the essence of the concentric cycle of the foreign policy which I have always advocated and the centre must be the state, next our neighbour, region (ECOWAS), Africa and the rest of the world. Now, foreign policy shifts from administration to administration but in essence, it must be pursued in those frameworks and context.
“Foreign policy is the definition of the interests of your country and the projection of those interests so that in the process you will say what you want as a nation in the world and how do you conduct yourself in such a way to attain them in the interest of your country”, he said.
Also speaking as the reviewer of the book, the Nigeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations (2018-2019), Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, said that insecurity in Nigeria and especially in the North, is caused by poverty, ignorance, mining activities and weak traditional laws.
He called on government to improve efforts at addressing these identified causes of insecurity towards bringing about peace and development in the country.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara state, represented by his deputy, Kayode Alabi, said that the state is always proud that the mention of Professor Ibrahim Gambari commands respect and honour across all spectrums, “owing to his contributions to scholarship, international diplomacy and world peace, as well as national unity and development at various times”.
The governor enjoined people to read the book, saying that our world evolves and grapples with emerging challenges of the new media and unfettered freedom, the rise of nonstate actors with differing perspectives on the concept of diplomacy, democracy, peace and development, and the shifting nature of the international system and power dynamics.
“While many of these issues may defy textbook prescriptions, I believe firmly that scholarly research and insights on such topics are always useful in our search for practical and sustainable solutions”, he said.
In her opening remarks, chairperson of the Local Organizing Committee, Dr. Abiola Adimula, described the occasion as a monumental celebration of excellence, service and leadership.
She lauded Professor Gambari as a “distinguished academic, resourceful professional, astute technocrat, and world diplomat,” whose contributions to international diplomacy, democratic development and global peace are indelible.
Reflecting on the honoree’s legacy, Dr. Adimula highlighted his mentorship of scholars and professionals worldwide, noting his impact as the former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari and his global contributions to peace and security.
Dr. Adimula recounted the challenges faced in bringing the book project to fruition, which began as early as 2019.
She expressed gratitude for the support of institutional partners, including the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD), and other academic institutions.
“Looking back, I am glad the previous attempts failed because today’s event surpasses all expectations in brilliance and splendour,” she said.
The book, a collection of 34 well-researched papers by global scholars, aims to serve as a reference for diplomacy, democracy, peace, and development studies. Dr. Adimula announced that part of the proceeds from the book launch would establish a Professorial Chair and research fund on Diplomacy and Peace Studies at the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, as a lasting legacy in honour of Prof. Gambari.
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