Professor Femi Mimiko: Following An Eagle to Ondo

By Toyin Falola

On December 9, 2024, friends and families will gather in Ondo to witness the installation of Professor Femi Mimiko as the Jomulaja by the Osemawe, the Paramount Ruler of Ondo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Victor Adesimbo Kiladajo, MB.ChB. CFR. Mrs Bosede Mimiko will also be honored on the same day as the Yeye Jomulaja in a double package of glory. A scheduled trip to Gombe on the same day has put sand in my gari to be at the event. Let me celebrate the great chief as part of the preparation for the event. I am a member of the honourary chief of Ondo

The eagle is a family of birds that has gained significance for its undefeated qualities. Beyond its place in the sky as an eminent dictator of biospheric affairs, the eagle is conceived to have spiritual effervescence, which makes it the choicest bird when referring to birds with a gigantic influence. Among other things, an eagle is popular for its defiance of many forces that seek to forcefully bring it down on its knees. To that extent, any individual with exemplary and outstanding resilience in their engagements is likened to an eagle because they have learned to defy human pressure, which sometimes aims at seeing to their destruction or elimination. It remains true, too, that irrespective of the power of their association, groups of detractors will encounter problems whenever they decide to wage wars against the eagle. It is, therefore, convenient for us to liken the persona of Professor Oluwafemi Mimiko to that of the gigantic eagle, not because of the phonemic resemblance between them but obviously because he has demonstrated outstanding bravery in stampeding every diabolical union that seeks to topple his progress. He has become somewhat resilient and even impregnable to withstand all manners of pressure that destructive associations have launched in his direction. It is, therefore, not a coincidence that he is acquiring numerous accolades and adulation for his contributions as a recognition of his many years of relentless hard work.

Mimiko is a man of unmistakable capacity, which is illustrated by how profound his academic achievements have been from the beginning of his venture into the business of transferring knowledge to the human world. One cannot underplay how foresighted, pragmatic, and diplomatic he is when one realizes that the combination of his intellectual contributions has revealed his uncompromising desire for progressive humanity.

I bring to you one very insightful example. Mimiko published Democradura: Essays on Nigeria’s Limited Democracy to underscore the undercurrents of Nigeria’s political journey and reveal the undersides of its ideological direction. In his examination of the problems that confront the country’s political climate, he unequivocally states that Nigeria’s democracy is limited not only in its application of conventional moral principles that undergird the popular democracy but also in its character of leadership disposition that its leaders give to the people. He raises an important point that true leadership is always circumnavigated when there is no leadership ingenuity and when there is a receding political will. Whereas the creation of democratic culture is usually subjected to the peculiarities of a people, it seems Nigeria’s case is different on the account that leaders are particularly insincere about what would work and what would not. Apparently, this cannot but bring about strange occurrences, the consequences of which would be devastating and scandalous. You can perceive his passion on the pages of his writings. He is such a committed writer.

We cannot underestimate the imperative of good intellectualism when we come across writings and research of the people like this egghead. For one, he has conducted extensive research to understudy the fundamental issues that many African countries are perennially confronted with. In one instance, we see his projection on the changing human world and the importance of evolving to accommodate the emerging realities of the world.

In another instructive work of his titled, Globalization: The Politics of Global Economic Relations and International Business, readers come to the grip of what obtains in regional politics and how its immunity to global engagements and occurrences has been a wholesale problem for its transformation. Of course, it was not Professor Mimiko who would inform us about the necessity for developing good attitudes towards events that relate to cross-border relationships and alliances, but it remains indisputable that his perspective on this issue is ultimately captivating. For instance, this noble professor argues that the proliferation of technological innovations has facilitated global society, and for that reason, one would make a mortal error if one isolated oneself in the bigger political system that has come to stay. Instead of being aloof, he suggests that Africans must utilize the immense advantages that globalization has brought. Of course, he opines that they may derive maximum prosperity from such involvement only when they understand these mechanisms with which one can engage other countries. Trade is a natural phenomenon implemented by socializing. In that case, adjustments are necessary to move in the right direction.

You can never doubt his determination for change, and you cannot take away from him his readiness for reformation. The consistency with which he conducts his findings and comes to a conclusion is something worthy of emulation by the coming generations. I do not sugarcoat it when I tell you that this Mimiko has inestimable academic values, which, in the purest sense, can be transferred from one generation to another. In one of his forthcoming publications, which he titled ‘Party Platforms and Governance in Nigeria’s Electoral Process: An Exploration of the nuances of accountability in a fledgling democracy,’ we observe from a close distance his commitment to distributive and inclusive leadership. This is illuminated in how he states clearly the best ways through which parties can be held accountable so that the process of electioneering will be more transparent and credible. He observes, for instance, that the widespread apathy that people have towards political participation today comes from their age-long disappointment occasioned by the lack of accountability that dominates political structures. He intones that if parties cannot be open and available for their members, it would be difficult for them to become accountable when they have the power. In essence, his prayer is that irrespective of their differences in philosophical and ideological constructs; parties should demand accountability from themselves as a pathway to build a formidable civilization. He insists that unless necessary interventions occur in this form, it will always be difficult to attain progress.

The Osemawe has questions to ask, although he is ka bi o ko si (you cannot query a king). I will violate the culture and ask His Royal Majesty some questions. I will seek redress by answering the questions for him as his Bobapitan.

Your Royal Highness: Did you decide to give Professor Femi Mimiko a second chieftaincy title because of his intellectual profile?

If so, sir, you have made the best decision. Even if given more than one week to begin to explain the quality of Mimiko’s intellectual profile, I am confident that it would never be enough to highlight the great contributions that Chief Femi Mimiko has made.

            Kabiyesi: Is your decision based on his contributions to Ondo?

Far more than Ondo, your Royal Highness, but globally. This enigmatic individual does more than surprise me with his exhilarating prodigy; he has also become very exceptional in terms of his contributions to community development. Among other things, he has shown that humanity thrives only when people have dedicated several of their activities to helping humans in ways that they cannot directly be repaid. Isn’t it a conventional saying that you cannot lay claim to being a good human until you do something for people who cannot directly pay you back? If this is true, I cannot but laud Professor Femi Mimiko for what he has done both nationally and internationally in his efforts to make the world a better place. He has served on a committee that is primarily preoccupied with the intention of seeking a common ground for conflict resolution. In this platform, he has put his brilliant mind to use by offering greater ideas that can help to combat aggressions everywhere. Importantly, his ideas are always broad beyond the shores of rigid thinking. This is ascertained perhaps because of his experience as a qualified international relations person. Whatever the case, you will always find him in conversations where the issue of progress is discussed. Scholar Mikimo is a serial columnist, and he uses his platform to educate otherwise uninformed people about how to participate in matters of civic responsibility. He believes, apparently, that unless individuals give their contributions where necessary, it would be difficult to create a distinctly democratic environment that is suitable for growth.

            Osemawe: Is your choice of Jomulaja based on considerations of character?

I think so. Femi Mimiko does not bear the name and title for just aesthetic brilliance. His versatility is unrivaled when looking at the nuances of his character. Have I even mentioned that he is a good administrator? Kabiyesi must have followed his career as a Vice-Chancellor. He has served in many different capacities, one of the most important being his role as the Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), in Ondo State, Nigeria. I am an alumnus of this great university, and I can put my mouth to this! There are living witnesses to his very outstanding performances when he served in that capacity. Apparently, he rose to that height systematically, with each level being a result of his dedication and reserved nature. To have accomplished what he did within the period is an attestation to his inspiring career progression.

Kabiyesi: Congratulations! You passed the examination with distinction.

Once again, sir, apologies for serving as your examiner. It is a poetic license that goes too far. E ma binu, Abaye. Let me read your final assessment:

As someone who does not compromise quality, I do marvel at what Professor Mimiko has achieved in life. If anything, it is a result of his prodigious pedagogy and extraordinary efforts in the teaching profession. The accumulation of awards both at the local and international level signals that the world is conversant with his intellectual brilliance. He has received awards on different occasions and platforms, many of which are a celebration of his exemplary intellect. From the United States of America to Canada and other great places in the world, Professor Oluwafemi Mimiko, my son, has left footprints that cannot be washed out in the history of humanity. His achievements are public memory because the enormity of his efforts has singled him out in the grand scheme of things.

To our new Jomulaja, oye a mori o.