A diverse group of notable individuals gathered at the Mauve 21 venue for the public presentation and launch of “The Stubborn Goat: A Citizen’s Engagement with Nigeria,” a two-volume work by public intellectual and former Head of the Department of Philosophy at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Professor Akinyemi Onigbinde, on January 26, 2025.
The event drew prominent figures including former Labour Party Presidential Candidate Peter Obi, former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the event’s chairman and former Governor of Ogun State.
The hall was filled with personalities who expressed significant interest in the latest literary achievement of the renowned academic, whose incisive writings have often been described as providing an “ethical diagnosis of Nigeria’s political, social, and economic life,” as well as being a “moral center” by stakeholders.
Among those present were Oba Adedokun Omoniyi Abolarin (Aroyinkeye 1), the Orangun of Oke Ila Orangun; former APC National Secretary Senator Iyiola Omisore; Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, Chief of Staff to the Governor of Oyo State; former Lagos State PDP gubernatorial candidate Jimi Agbaje; and human rights activist Dele Farotimi, among others.
Reflecting on the book’s message, Peter Obi drew parallels to another work, “Growing Apart” by Professor Peter Lewis, noting that both texts highlight how Nigeria often recognizes the right course of action yet repeatedly opts for the wrong one.
Obi further remarked on the author’s patriotism and courage, stating, “What stands out in ‘The Manifesto of a Stubborn Goat’ is the author’s courage to confront Nigeria’s challenges honestly. True patriotism, in my opinion, is not about praising the country when things go wrong, but rather critically examining its failings and contributing to possible solutions. Through his essays, Professor Onigbinde performs this vital service, providing an incisive ethical diagnosis of the nation’s political, social, and economic life.”
He concluded: “The book emphasizes that citizens have a responsibility to engage, reflect, and hold both leaders and institutions accountable. It addresses pressing issues such as insecurity, the collapse of trust, the erosion of civic responsibility, and the need for ethical leadership. The metaphor of the stubborn goat—an animal that resists being quietly led to slaughter—serves as a moral centre, illustrating the importance of persistence, courage, and principled resistance, even when circumstances seem overwhelming.”
Highlighting the role of public intellectuals in exposing the paralysis of power and advocating for social justice, the foreword writer, Festus Adedayo, a renowned columnist and member of the Editorial Board of the Tribune Newspaper, credited the book for “re-tabling issues that engaged discourses at the time they were written, without losing their savour.” He noted that the author’s skill in presenting these issues as “delectable intellectual cuisine with gripping aroma” has been instrumental in achieving this goal.
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During his address, Onigbinde described the work as a culmination of his decades-long engagement with various media outlets in the country, particularly through his compelling columns and articles. He emphasized that the title he chose to release in commemoration of his 70th birthday originated from his mother, who often referred to him as a “stubborn goat” due to his uncompromising stance on various issues.
