Yinka Olatunbosun
Marked by celebration and reflection, a ceremony held on Wednesday, November 5, at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) became a defining moment for Nigeria’s literary and academic communities. UNILAG Consult Limited officially unveiled Leadership Chronicles of Governor Douye Diri and announced the establishment of a Professorial Chair in Leadership and Good Governance in honour of the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.
Hosted at the Tayo Aderinokun Lecture Theatre, the event drew an impressive gathering of political leaders, scholars, and dignitaries from across the country. The hall brimmed with guests, including Bayelsa indigenes in vibrant traditional attire who turned out in large numbers to celebrate their governor.
Among the distinguished attendees were the Guest Speaker and Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang; the Chairman of the occasion, Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON, represented by Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; and the Guest of Honour, Governor Douye Diri. Also present were the Managing Director of UNILAG Consult, Dr. John Lekan Oyefara; Prof. Hope Eghagha; Prof. Gabriel Olatunde Babawale; Mr. Sola Ojewusi; and High Chief Emonena Victor Wayles Egukawhore (JP), among others.
The 312-page publication—reviewed by TVC Public Analyst Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and compiled by the UNILAG Consult team—offers a comprehensive account of Governor Diri’s six years in office. Edited by Prof. Hope Eghagha and Mr. Sola Ojewusi, the book documents achievements in healthcare, education, housing, agriculture, and technological innovation, supported by photographs and independent research carried out by the UNILAG team in Bayelsa State.
In her welcome address, UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola described the gathering as “more than a book launch,” calling it “a reminder that leadership, when anchored on knowledge and guided by values, remains the surest path to sustainable development.”
She noted that the newly endowed Professorial Chair would provide “a structured platform for research, teaching, and mentorship in leadership and governance,” underscoring the need to nurture integrity, accountability, and service among Nigeria’s future leaders.
Vice President Shettima, in his goodwill message, praised Governor Diri and the people of Bayelsa State, stressing the importance of historical documentation. “The important thing is to document our history for our children and the next generation,” he said.
Delivering his lecture, Guest Speaker Governor Caleb Mutfwang lauded Diri as a leader who shares in the pains and aspirations of his people. “Leadership is about touching people’s lives and using public resources to make life better. I have seen Governor Diri demonstrate that in spirit and in action,” he remarked.
He commended UNILAG for chronicling Diri’s leadership journey, describing the effort as “unfashionable but noble—recording the stories of our heroes present, not just our heroes past.”
Former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaigbe, also praised the initiative, describing the documentation of Diri’s leadership style as “a significant step in institutionalising real-time leadership assessment in Nigeria.” He applauded UNILAG Consult for setting a new benchmark in academic documentation of governance.
Visibly moved by the honour, Governor Diri expressed gratitude to the university and the people of Bayelsa, pledging continued commitment to policies that promote peace, unity, and sustainable development in the Niger ”elta.
The ceremony concluded with the formal presentation of the book and the signing of documents establishing the Professorial Chair—signifying a lasting partnership between the University of Lagos and the Bayelsa State Government in advancing knowledge-driven leadership.
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