Nigeria’s Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), has described retired Ambassador Joseph Jayeola Lemu’s newly unveiled memoir, “Time and Space in Diplomacy”, as an enduring contribution to the nation’s diplomatic history and a valuable guide for future generations of diplomats.
Gowon spoke in Abuja at the public presentation of the book, which coincided with Ambassador Lemu’s 80th birthday celebration. The event drew senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, academics, former ambassadors, family members and friends.
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Congratulating the retired diplomat on reaching the milestone age, Gowon prayed for his continued good health and commended him for choosing to celebrate the occasion by documenting a lifetime of public service.
“It is particularly fitting that Ambassador Lemu has chosen this auspicious occasion not merely to celebrate longevity, but also to leave behind a lasting intellectual legacy through the publication of his memoir,” Gowon said.
Reflecting on their decades-long relationship, the former Head of State noted that Lemu has distinguished himself through professionalism, diligence and an unwavering commitment to duty.
“I remember Ambassador Lemu as a conscientious, diligent and highly professional foreign service officer. His quiet efficiency, attention to detail and genuine respect for duty left a lasting impression on me,” he said.
Gowon also recalled meeting Ambassador Lemu again in Japan in 1990 during the enthronement ceremonies of Emperor Akihito, where Lemu coordinated visits to Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Okinawa.
“Those visits strengthened my appreciation of the enduring value of peace, reconciliation and international understanding,” he noted.
The former Head of State said he had carefully read the memoir and was impressed by its detailed account of the author’s career, describing it as an important record of Nigeria’s diplomatic history.
“I read the book thoroughly and was amazed by the details of events, names, places and people,” Gowon said.
Gowon said the memoir would serve as an important reference for diplomats, scholars of international relations, and future generations of Nigerians.
“I read the book thoroughly and was amazed by the richness of detail, the people, the places and the events it captures. It teaches younger diplomats the values of commitment, dedication and professionalism. It is a lesson and a remarkable record of a lifetime devoted to the service of Nigeria,” Gowon said.
He warned that valuable institutional memory is often lost when experienced public servants fail to document their careers.
“By committing his experiences to writing, Ambassador Lemu has rendered another important service not only to the Nigerian Foreign Service but also to students of diplomacy, scholars of foreign policy and future generations,” he added.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, described the memoir as a significant contribution to Nigeria’s foreign policy literature, noting that it preserves decades of diplomatic experience for the benefit of future practitioners.
He said the publication demonstrates that diplomacy extends beyond ceremonies and protocol, requiring patience, integrity, discipline and effective representation of national interests.
“Meaningful service is seldom about headlines or dramatic displays. It is about advancing your country’s national interest through professionalism and sound judgement,” the minister said.
Recalling his early years in the Foreign Service, the minister described Ambassador Lemu as one of his mentors whose intellectual depth, clarity of thought and meticulous approach to report writing shaped many young diplomats.
“I admired his intellectual depth and painstaking attention to detail. He taught me the art of report writing, analysis and disciplined thinking,” he said.
In his remarks, former Nigerian Ambassador George Obiozor praised Ambassador Lemu for joining the growing number of retired diplomats documenting their experiences for posterity. He observed that such memoirs enrich Nigeria’s diplomatic literature and provide invaluable learning resources for younger officers entering the Foreign Service.
The Chairman, Organising Committee of the occasion, Ambassador Chuka Udedibia, described diplomatic memoirs as essential historical records that preserve the context behind major international engagements.
He noted that “Time and Space in Diplomacy” combines scholarly insight with practical experience, offering readers a rare perspective on the realities of diplomacy.
“A diplomat’s memoir is among the most valuable forms of writing in international relations because it brings together theory, practice and lived experience,” he said.
Responding, Ambassador Lemu expressed gratitude to God, his family, colleagues and guests for celebrating with him. Noting that his decision to write the memoir was inspired by the need to preserve Nigeria’s diplomatic history and encourage younger officers to document their own experiences.
“We were there to serve our nation. Our experiences should not be allowed to disappear with time. They should be preserved to guide those who will come after us,” he noted.
He encouraged serving and retired diplomats to write about their experiences, stressing that preserving institutional memory is essential for strengthening Nigeria’s Foreign Service.
Other highlights at the launch were the formal presentation of Time and Space in Diplomacy, a memoir chronicling Ambassador Lemu’s nearly four decades in Nigeria’s diplomatic service and highlighting the principles of professionalism, patriotism, peace and international cooperation that defined his career.
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