Akinjide Osuntokun

Akinjide Osuntokun (born 26 April 1942), commonly known as Jide Osuntokun, is a Nigerian historian, academic and diplomat.He is Professor Emeritus of History and International Relations at the University of Lagos and at Redeemer's University, and served as Nigeria's first Ambassador to the unified Federal Republic of Germany from 1991 to 1995. He is an Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). Quotes The dust of history presumably would have settled and emotional trauma would somehow have been healed because time is a healer. Osuntokun was speaking in 2016 at an event marking the 50th anniversary of the 1966 coup. He was reflecting on how historical events continue to affect Nigeria decades after they occurred. Therefore what happened in the past even though it has implication for the present and for the future does not necessarily determine the trajectory of events in the present. Osuntokun was discussing the continuing significance of the 1966 coup. He distinguished between the influence of historical events and the idea that history necessarily determines the course of present events. This is why it is very important to study the past in order for the present not to repeat the mistakes of the past. Osuntokun was explaining why the study of history remains important for Nigeria. He argued that understanding previous political failures could help prevent their repetition. Democracy is the best way to move the country forward like other developed countries in the world, but we need a patriotic leader who has interest of the masses at heart. Osuntokun made the statement during a 2018 book presentation while discussing Nigeria's political development and the need for restructuring. He connected democratic governance with leadership committed to the public interest. I was in a group discussing and debating what our statement at the General Assembly plenary session in 1991 in New York should be. Osuntokun was recalling his experience as Nigeria's ambassador and the discussions surrounding Nigeria's position at the United Nations General Assembly in 1991. There were attempts to persuade me to marry another woman, but it wouldn’t have been fair to the memory of my wife, nor would it have been fair to the person I would have married, because I would have been comparing the two of them. Osuntokun was reflecting on his life after the death of his wife, Dr Abiodun Osuntokun, in 2003. He explained why he chose not to remarry and how he instead immersed himself in writing and other activities. But I thank God it made me to bury myself in my writing, my commitment to whatever the activity I enjoyed, especially writing. Osuntokun was explaining how he responded personally to bereavement. He described writing and other intellectual activities as ways in which he continued his life after the loss of his wife. External links Category:1942 births Category:Living people Category:Historians from Nigeria