4th February 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“Obasanjo to launch banned autobiography, My Watch,
with the Royal African Society in London”
Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo is to launch his autobiography, “My Watch”,
with the Royal African Society next Wednesday, 11 February 2015, at the Royal Society of
Medicine in central London.
Obasanjo will be in conversation with Richard Dowden, Director of RAS, to present his threevolume autobiography, which has controversially been banned in Nigeria on accusations of
libel, ahead of a crucial and closely fought presidential election.
“My Watch” follows in the steps of his previous memoirs, My Command and Not My Will,
and spans large expanses of time, from pre-colonial Owu history to early Abeokuta and the
last throes of an independent city state at turn-of-the-century colonial Nigeria. The threepart memoir explores Obasanjo’s early years, his civil war experience and his stewardship of
the transitional government of 1976-1979, as well as covering his tenure as a civilian
president on Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999 and his subsequent completion of the
first civilian-civilian handover in Nigeria’s history.
The book launch will be followed by a book signing. The event will take place at the Royal
Society of Medicine, 1 Wimpole Street, London W1G 0AE, from 5:15PM on Wednesday, 11
February 2015.
Notes to Editors:
1.
The Royal African Society is a membership organisation that fosters a better understanding of Africa in the UK and
throughout the world. Our goal is to promote Africa globally in the spheres of business, politics, academia, arts and
culture. We disseminate knowledge and insight to make a positive difference to Africa’s development and celebrate the
diversity and depth of African cultures. www.royalafricansociety.org.uk
2.
Olusegun Obasanjo served as President of Nigeria from May 1999 to May 2007. He was first thrust into
leadership when he when he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt that killed Nigeria’s military ruler,
Murtala Mohammed. As deputy he took over as head of state, and was subsequently responsible for the
successful handover in 1979 from military to civilian rule in Nigerian history. Following two terms as a
democratically elected leader, he stepped down in 2007. President Obasanjo is also Founder of the Olusegun
Obasanjo Foundation, a UK based charity that has a mission of advancing Human Security for All.
3.
Richard Dowden is director of the Royal African Society. He joined The Times foreign desk in 1980 reporting
from the Middle East and Africa, before being appointed Africa Editor at The Independent in 1986. In 1995 he
joined The Economist as Africa Editor, in November 2002 he became Director of the Royal African Society.
Richard is on the board of the Nation Media Group in East Africa. He also continues to write on African issues,
frequently appearing as a commentator on African affairs on the BBC, CNN, Sky News and other broadcast media.
Richard Dowden’s book, Africa: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles was published in 2008.
4.
“My Watch” is published by Prestige, an imprint of Kachifo Limited. Kachifo Limited is an independent Nigerian
publishing house set up in 2004. It publishes Prestige Books and has also established a non-profit trust, Farafina
Trust, whose broad mission is to promote literature and literary skills in Africa.
Contact for Press Queries
Shushan Tewolde-Berhan
E: ras_events@soas.ac.uk
T: 0203 073 8319