Nigeria, Dec. 28 -- There are few Nigerians whose existence gives me as much joy and hope as Baba Olusegun Obasanjo. There are also few Nigerians whose eventual departure from this world would fill me with as much dread as his.

My friends, who know how close I am to Baba, have on several occasions advised me to hurry up with anything I want to do with him, warning that Baba may soon depart this world. I would always reply that Baba is not leaving this world anytime soon. Unfortunately, one of those friends who urged me to hurry up with Baba died recently; a young man full of ideas. His death is a clear reminder that death is no respecter of age.

Even though Baba himself has said he is heading to the departure lounge, my prayer is that h...