L-R: Senator Bode Olajumoke, Prof. Akinlawon Mabogunje (CON), Prof. Ladipo Adamolekun (author) and Mrs. Titi Adamolekun

The maiden presentation of I Remeber, an autobiography by Prof. Ladipo Adamolekun, a veteran scholar in the field of Public Administration, took place on Thursday 12th May 2016, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Hall, Victoria Island, Lagos. I Remember chronicles Adamolekun’s rise from a humble a background to a distinguished career in academia and public service.

In the book, he pulls back the curtains on the riveting recollections of his beautiful family heritage; his transition as a young promising lad with a passion for reading to a fulfilled adult who, through his doggedness blazed the trail as a student at the University of Ibadan, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and Oxford Universit. He reached the pinnacle of success in his careers – teaching at Ife, which peaked at a professorship at age 36 and public Administration consultancy to several Pan-African and international bodies.

This book, according to R&BPR, is in six parts, covering his early years; his educational maturation at Ibadan, Ife and Oxford; his “Ife Years” devoted to teaching, research and academic administration, as well as several national and international engagement. It also contains his “World Bank Years” of multidimensional development work; and his activities in retirement as an “Independent Scholar”. He closes with “A Note for the Millennials: Nigeria and I” – an overview of what he experienced in respect of three fond memories of his early years that are missing in his early old age: educational excellence, meritocracy and strong institutions.

According to Anthony Akinola, an Oxford-based Nigerian public intellectual, “Professor Adamolekun’s autobiography has some messages for all of us. His parental upbringing has a message for parents generally; his exploits as a student at school and university have a strong message for students. Of course, his experiences as an accomplished academic at various universities (University of Ife, in particular), and as a leading professional at the World Bank, should provide useful guidance to those who seek to operate at the highest level of professional calls. A book that serves as a role model for generations.

Professor Ladipo Adamolekun has won many honours and distinctions within and outside the country, including the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) award – the “highest national prize for academic and intellectual attainment” – in December 2005.

There will be a second public presentation in Abuja on Tuesday May 17th, at Auditorium 1, Merit House, 22 Aguiyi-Ironsi Street, Maitama, at 11a.m prompt.