Dr. Tunde Olusunle has extended his appreciation to all who attended the public presentation of his two books recently at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
Below is his speech:
Your Excellences, Venerated Parliamentarians, Exalted Elders, My Colleagues in the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have listened to our fill of talks, speeches, and addresses today such that it will be unfair to further burden us with another lengthy treatise. I will, therefore, like to make my expression of gratitude as brief as possible. Kindly indulge me to confess that even as a writer, I suffer temporary inadequacy of words and expressions to convey the depth of my gratitude on this occasion of the public presentation of two of my books.
Attending quasi-formal or intellectual exercises may not always be first choice events for many. But here we are on a working day away from our desks in our offices and the cozy comfort of our sofas at home, in such quality and numbers, keeping a date with me at my event. Some of us at this programme indeed travelled from out-of-Abuja addresses just to be here.
Getting Elder Statesmen like the Emeritus National Security Adviser, General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, GCON, or a public officer like the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), His Excellency, Senator George Akume, CON, who has been Governor, Senator and Minister before now, to an event is no joke. Not forgetting a very busy international entrepreneur of the stature of our Chief Launcher, Sir Emeka Offor, KSC.
I should also list my Oga, one of Nigeria’s finest professionals and scholars, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, FNGE, CON, who with select other media greats, have held up my hands over the decades. Indeed, we have with us here dignitaries, including Their Excellences, Governors of various states, including my governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Usman Ododo, whom I’ve not been privileged to meet until today. We also have his respected colleagues whose faces I’ve only ever seen on media platforms. The same applies to many leaders, elder statesmen, fathers, and dignitaries who made out time to be here for me.
Technology has simplified life in different ways so much so that many of our respected guests today honoured me with their presences and support today did so simply upon the receipt of soft copies of their invites. Against the backdrop of our age-old culture and preference for the “hardcopy,” I must confess I’m genuinely humbled. In some instances, invitees to this event have sent representatives who have stood in the gap most capably and effectively. On the other hand, quite a number of our special invitees to this event sent word about a clash of this function with pre-scheduled appointments, locally and internationally. They have supported this programme in various ways and we are most grateful.
My colleagues in the media have been so gracious, ever availing my contributions space in their publications, even when there are space constraints. I am a member of many families, notably: The Olusunle family, home and abroad; the Church of God; Kogi State; Kogi West; Okunland; Yagbaland; the global University of Ilorin alumni family; Daily Times alumni family; the Association of Nigerian Authors, (ANA); the Nigerian Guild of Editors, (NGE), and so on. I’m grateful you turned up for me. A small team put this event together, including my very good friend and beloved wife of 36 years, Dr. (Mrs) Funmi Olusunle, our children here represented by Aramide Olusunle and my friends since “Day One” in the university, Professors Gbenga Ayeni and Tivlumun Nyitse. My publisher of 30 years, Mr. Steve Shaba, flew in from Ibadan. My colleagues and friends, Bolaji Afolabi, Joshua Ocheja, and Tope Adewumi, have been quite supportive. Same for Ohinoyi Abdul, Charles Tanko, and Philip Tyonumbe, who spent nights and nights with me processing and perfecting documents. God bless you all.
In keeping with my earlier pledge not to make my vote of thanks another epistolary, permit me to thank us all for your physical and moral support. As we say in Yoruba: “Ori idobale ni mo wa,” meaning in this instance, “I lie prostate on the floor in profound appreciation.” May God recompense you bountifully. As you have honoured me and family today, may God honour you. And as we depart to our various destinations, may the good Lord go with you. I thank you once again, and God bless you.