By KAYODE ADEBIYI

President Jose Ramos-Horta of Timor-Leste (formally East Timor) is one of the dignitaries expected to grace the 70th birthday symposium in honour of Prof. Femi Badejo scheduled to hold on March 4.

Ramos-Horta, also Noble Laureate for Peace prize winner, is expected to lead the symposium’s opening session entitled: `The Politics of Power: Interrogating the Role of Special Interests in Nigeria’s Development`.

The event Is scheduled to hold at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Faculty of Social Sciences Tetfund Lecture, Theatre, Akoka, Lagos.

Prof. Adele Jinadu. A professor of political science, is also expected to deliver the event’s keynote address, while former foreign Affairs Minister, retired Maj-. Gen. Ike Nwachukwu is expected to chair the panel session.

Other activities scheduled in honour of the academic, writer and diplomat include a birthday lecture entitled, Power, Privilege & Philosophy, to be delivered by Prof. Toyin Falola on March 15.

On March 17, activities will climax with a History and Heritage Tour of the Prince Yemisi Shyllon Museum, Pan African University, Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Badejo is also a renowned professor of International Relations who has contributed immensely to the academic world with over 48 publications.

These include a best seller book on politics in Kenya, and Nigerians’ Views on National Turmoil: A Situational Quadruple Nexus. (NAN)