Asiwaju Tinubu Hails Prof. Adebayo Williams at 70

Renowned scholar, author and journalist, Professor Adebayo Williams is a dear friend and long-standing, dedicated partnerin the progressive struggle. I heartily congratulate Prof today on his 70thbirthday.

Prof. Williams ranks among the most accomplished public intellectuals in the country. In an impressive career spanning nearly 50 years, he has enriched our public discourse with his erudition and fecundideas.

Prof. Williams’ exceptional brilliance and capacity to generate innovative ideas in several fields of human endeavour are particularly remarkable.

His columns in national and international magazines and newspapers over the years, notably Newswatch, African Concord, Concord, The News and currently in The Nation are  witty, accurate and penetrating.

With over a thousand publications,including six books to his credit, Prof. Williams’s pen has uplifted our nation’s scholarly output as well as improved its people-oriented journalism.

Through his writings, he has served as a mentor and source of moral inspiration to many Nigerians who have come to look to him for guidance and wise direction.

His ample contributes to academics and journalism notwithstanding, his most profound and important work has been his exertions to advance rule of law, democracy and good governance in our nation.

Prof. Williams was a frontline intellect in fight to end military rule and to bring  therebirth of democracy to Nigeriaparticularly in the wake of the annulment of June 12 election.

Prof. Williams did everything in his capacity, canvassing throughout Nigeria and overseas to cultivate democracy in thisland.

He was consistent, committed, and unyielding in the battle against authoritarian injustice.

Prof. Williams has also served Lagos with his customary dedication and high standards as Chairman, Lagos State Electoral Reform Panel (2008-2010) and Chairman, Lagos State Gubernatorial Advisory Committee (2010- 2018) under Governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode.

As a close friend, I can also attest to the most important fact about Prof. Williams: he is an excellent human being.

While he joins the club of Septuagenarianstoday, Prof has much more work to do. May the best part of his road still lie before him. I beseech Almighty Allah to grant him more years, good health, renewed strength and wisdom to achieve many more things in the service of our people and our progressive ideals.

Tinubu Media Office,

Tunde Rahman,

September 09, 2021.