‘I find the book very lucid and well researched. This book ranks among the best that has b
“Mr. Obisakin has expertly put together an invaluable body of information to guide Diplomats and other officials in the delicate art of managing the self-esteem and sensibilities of important personalities and tourists.
“An assessment of this book by officials of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation reveals that, both in content and presentation, it is a rich knowledge resource, suitable for the training of those who seek to excel in protocol duties and tourists’ guidance.
“While I congratulate the author, I strongly recommend the book for those who seek to know the intricacies of managing the conflict demands in the assembly of important personalities and people in unfamiliar environments.”
Prof. Babalola Borishade, CFR
Honourable Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation (2006-2007).
“I find the book, Protocol for Life, Guidelines on Diplomatic, Official and Social Manners very lucid and well researched. No one should depart from protocol rules without valid reasons.
. . . This book ranks amongst the best that has been written on the subject.
. . . It is written for both professional and layman alike. It gives an interesting and credible account of a practitioner with an insight into the day-to-day duties of a diplomatic protocol officer and, at the same time, gives a feel of the intricacies of diplomacy and foreign relations: the networking, the gathering of intelligence and analysis of the information so gathered.
The simplicity of its style of writing makes for easy reading. The book is factual and current in content. It features government, private sector and religious aspect of protocol.
It is a “must” for the book shelf of every diplomat and anyone with daily human contact.”
Ambassador Edwin M. Ihama.
Former Chief of Protocol, Nigeria
February 14, 2007
“This book is a glossary of behaviour in international and international events, ranging from State occasions to Church services. It has gone to great lengths to unravel the background preparations – the events behind the event. It is also a guide not only for diplomats but also for international traveling. Encyclopedic in painstaking details with refreshing anecdotes that remove the tedium of essential methodological explanations necessary in a guidebook.
The book is recommended for green-horns finding their feet as diplomats and to Masters of Ceremonies and events managers.
The art of Masters of Ceremonies is a gift which is self-developed, and this publication has provided a reference material which bridges the gap, and provides guidance between theory and practice, enhancing the skill of the events manger and presenter.
The author has seen all in over twenty-five years as a diplomat or trilingual interpreter, protocol officer and a master of ceremonies per excellence and versatile events manager.”
Ikenna Ndaguba, MFR
19th February, 2007
“Obisakin’s Protocol for Life is not one of those armchair intellectual works. Indeed, it is borne out of a rich practical experience as a protocol officer whose very demanding responsibilities cover wide areas of life. The work brings to the fore, the complexities of protocol at the highest governmental level.
. . . As an expert in translation practice and theory, I am particularly thrilled about Obisakin’s practical ability to translate and interpret into many languages and also be involved in theoretical postulations. His experience seems to belie (at least partially) Andre Gide’s assertion that “on ne s’improvise pas traducteur” but tallies with Eugene Nida’s “translators are born, not made”.
Obisakin has enriched his work with numerous practical and cultural ideas drawn from various countries of the world. He proves through his work that translation is both a linguistic and cultural transfer and that a lack of cultural understanding can be counter-productive.
Written in lucid language, Protocol for Life meets, in a very brilliant manner, diverse needs of administrators, political scientists, P.R.Os, translators, interpreters and those in international relations.
I recommend the book to the academic world that is often deprived of practical experience in the related fields.”
Prof. Isaiah Bariki
Senior Lecturer
French Department, University of Ilorin
18th April, 2007
Amb. Edwin M. Ihama, (Chief of protocol/ State chief of protocol, Nigeria.) –
This book ranks among the best that has been written on the subject.”
–Chief Ikenna Ndaguba, MFR –(a veteran broadcaster, foremost MC and Event Manager, In Nigeria.)‘ –
Encyclopedic in painstaking details with refreshing anecdotes, a reference material, which bridges the gap between theory and practice. It holds a promise of immense reward for diplomats, event managers and masters of ceremony. From a multi-talented, distinguished diplomat, multilingual interpreter, versatile event manager and master of ceremony par excellence’