The much-anticipated launch of I Drink the Future, the autobiography of Nigeria’s former Minister of Agriculture, Chief (Dr.) Gabriel Akin-Deko, is set to take place on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. The event will be held at Queen’s Park Event Center, located at the end of Corporation Drive, Trinity Avenue, off Ligali Ayorinde Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The ceremony will be presided over by the distinguished Chief Pius Akinyelure, Chairman of the Board of Directors at NNPC Limited, who will serve as chairman of the occasion. Notable dignitaries expected at the event include Chief Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Executive Governor of Ondo State, as the guest of honor, and Distinguished Senator Dr. ‘Femi Okurounmu, who will serve as the book reviewer. Also in attendance will be Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, who has been specially recognized for his outstanding contributions to Africa’s development.
Organized by the Akin-Deko family in collaboration with the Government College Ibadan Old Boys’ Association (GCIOBA), the event celebrates the legacy of a man whose impact on Nigeria spanned multiple sectors. High Chief Akin-Deko was a foundation student, teacher, housemaster, president of GCIOBA, and later a life patron of the association.
Written before his passing in 1987, I Drink the Future chronicles the remarkable life of one of Nigeria’s most respected political figures. The book provides deep insights into his friendships with historical figures such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Alhaji Shehu Shagari, while reflecting on key events, including his childhood, his formative years at Government College Ibadan, the formation of the Action Group, the Farm Settlement Scheme, the Idanre kingship tussle of the 1970s, and his role as a leading member of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).
Born in 1913, High Chief Gabriel Akin-Deko was a visionary leader whose influence extended beyond politics. As Minister of Agriculture in Nigeria’s first cabinet under Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he was fondly known as the “King of Farmers” for his transformative contributions to the agricultural sector. His leadership also shaped the nation’s sports landscape as the founding chairman of the National Sports Commission and Africa’s first representative at the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Additionally, he played key roles in academia, serving as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).
The book launch promises to be a remarkable occasion—one that not only honors the life and legacy of High Chief Akin-Deko but also offers attendees a unique opportunity to reflect on his enduring contributions to Nigeria’s development. As the date draws near, excitement continues to build for what will undoubtedly be an inspiring and memorable event.
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