Nigeria, Feb. 12 -- It is with immense joy and admiration that I join you all in celebrating my dear friend, a scholar, politician, and a visionary leader - Dr John Kayode Fayemi - on the occasion of his 60th birthday. Happy birthday young man! Now, they say at 60 you stop counting birthdays and start counting legacies - fortunately, our celebrant has plenty of both! And this morning, beyond the candles and the cake, we celebrate not just the remarkable milestone of 60 years of impact and service, but also the birth of an idea; a vision that will inspire the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and nation-builders.

Yes, we also proudly inaugurate the Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement - a bold initiative to fosterin...