Obasanjo Headlines Launch of Late Sunday Akande’s Biography

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Several dignitaries, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, last weekend attended the launch of ‘An Engineered Life’, the biography of the late Christopher Sunday Olatunde Akande, popularly called C.S.O. Akande.
Obasanjo, who chaired the occasion, officially launched the book and was supported by Maj. Gen. David Jemibewon (rtd), the last Military Governor of the Western Region and first Military Governor of Oyo State.
Reflecting on his personal relationship with Akande, Obasanjo hailed him as “a rare breed of professional and patriot”, characterising him as a patriotic engineer and incorruptible public servant whose dedication helped preserve Nigeria’s unity during the civil war era.
He emphasised the importance of documenting such lives, noting that: “When we fail to tell our stories, we rob the next generation of the wisdom to do better.”
Notable figures in attendance included: Jemibewon; His Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II, Emir of Kano; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who was represented and Adeniyi Adebayo, the first elected governor of Ekiti.
Also present were: Donald Duke, former Governor of Cross River State; Mr. James Ibori, former Governor of Delta State; Mrs. Olufunke Agagu, former First Lady of Ondo State; Chief Olajumoke Akinjide, former Minister of State, FCT and Senator Ireti Kingibe, Senator representing the federal capital.
Other attendees were: Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Defence as well as Mr. Chike Ogeah, ex-Commissioner of Information, Delta state, who represented the Chairman, THISDAY/Arise Media Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena.
Representing the family, Wole, son of the late Akande, delivered a heartfelt welcome address, pledging the family’s commitment to keeping their father’s legacy alive, while Dapo Akande shared insights into the painstaking research and dedication that went into producing the biography.
Besides, Wole underscored the importance of documentation as a tool for preserving national memory.
“History and culture matter. If we all wrote our stories, there would be no confusion about who we are. My father’s story is a legacy to remind us of discipline, honesty, and service to family and country,” he said.
He further revealed that a second edition of ‘An Engineered Life’ was under consideration, to incorporate new materials and testimonies that have emerged since the first draft.
In her remarks, Kingibe highlighted Akande’s disciplined upbringing at Government College Ibadan and his groundbreaking engineering career as clear testaments of a legacy worth emulating.
As part of the event, Dr. Kemi Akande-Taiwo and Mrs. Iyabo Akindolie announced the establishment of the Annual Endowment Fund for the Best Science Student of Government College Ibadan — a living tribute to Akande’s lifelong passion for science, engineering, and education.