Wednesday 21 February 2018

DR. TOKUNBO AWOLOWO-DOSUNMU @ 70

Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, the Executive Director of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation (OAF), and last child of late elder statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, turned 70 yesterday, 20th February, 2018. Her father, Chief Awolowo, GCFR, was a Nigerian nationalist and thought leader who fought for our independence from the British colonialists. Are we discussing the father or the daughter, Tokunbo?

That's what happens when you have a parent with impeccable pedigree. Even when the offspring is the subject matter, it is difficult to resist the temptation of discussing the high achiever parent. With such noble parentage, it is no surprise that Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu is indeed an amazon and icon at 70. She celebrated in Ikenne, Ogun state, her ancestral home. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other notable personalities were in  Ikenne to rejoice with her. Tokunbo is a former Ambassador to the Netherlands.

I vividly remember that her leadership qualities were on display in the early days of the OAF in the 1990's when I was drafted into the communique team. Then I was Head, Department of Political Science, Lagos State University (LASU). Others in the pioneering team of OAF are Kayode Samuel and Dr. Sina Sambo (deceased). Tokunbo came forth as a polished and thoroughbred professional with a passion for immortalising her father's legacy via the OAF.

Kudos to you, dear sister at 70. I wish you many more happy years... 

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