Applause as Shina Fatai Alege Unveils Five Books in Abuja

By Titilayo Becky 

Abuja — Beneath the calm elegance of the Nigeria Merit Award House, voices of diplomacy, scholarship, and reflection rose in harmony on Wednesday as former Nigerian Ambassador to Ukraine, Shina Fatai Alege, unveiled five books woven from memory, service, and the restless pages of history.

The hall glowed with the presence of diplomats, academics, jurists, policymakers, and distinguished guests whose gathering transformed the ceremony into more than a literary event. It became a meeting of minds — where ink met experience, and public service found expression through the enduring language of books.

Like a statesman returning from the long corridors of international engagement with stories carved by history, Ambassador Alege presented works shaped by diplomacy, conflict, leadership, and human reflection. His voice carried the calm conviction of one who has witnessed nations in tension and humanity in transition.

Among the books unveiled was The Sirens and the Flag: A Nigerian Ambassador’s Journal from the War in Ukraine, a vivid diplomatic chronicle echoing the fears, courage, and urgency that surrounded the evacuation of Nigerians during the Ukraine conflict. Through its pages runs the sound of sirens, the burden of duty, and the resilience of a nation protecting its citizens far from home.

Another title, Insecurity and Regional Leadership in Africa: Nigeria’s Aspiratory Hegemony under Multiplex Threats, journeys through Africa’s fragile security landscape, examining the weight of leadership on a continent seeking stability amid shifting tides of uncertainty.

In The Expiry Date of Power: How Abu-Superior Learned Too Late, power itself becomes a fleeting visitor, reminding leaders that authority fades when wisdom is absent. While The Last Ride: Five Stops Before Goodbye speaks softly about life’s inevitable journey, When the House Was Not on Fire reflects on silence, complacency, and the dangers of ignoring warning signs before crisis arrives.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Alege said the books were inspired by years spent in diplomatic service, observing the world through the lens of governance, leadership, and humanity. He noted that the publications are especially recommended for Nigerian readers, particularly students and young leaders seeking knowledge capable of shaping responsible leadership and national consciousness.

Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, described the books as thoughtful contributions to intellectual and national development, noting that experience gains greater value when preserved in writing for future generations.

Also speaking, former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, represented by Barrister Ahmed Raji, SAN, praised Ambassador Alege for transforming years of diplomatic experience into literature that educates, inspires, and challenges society to think beyond the ordinary.

As the evening drew to a close, the applause that filled the hall seemed to affirm one enduring truth — that while diplomatic missions may end, words written with purpose continue their journey long after the ceremony lights grow dim.