These memoirs give revealing and insightful account of the inner workings of diplomacy through the eyes of a seasoned career diplomat. Ambassador Jaiyeola Joseph Lewu shares decades of rich experience across five continents of the world offering a first-hand narrative that spans working in Nigeria and postings to many countries including Ethiopia, Ireland, USA, the United Kingdom, Japan and Brazil with concurrent accreditation to Bolivia and Paraguay. He had working tours of many African countries, including Kenya, Somalia, Mauritania, Senegal, Cape Verde, Guinea-Conakry, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ghana. His work also took him to Canada, and in Europe, to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and in Asia and the far East, including India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea and Vietnam.

This book serves as a valuable compendium of knowledge and experience, particularly in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy for a diverse readership: foreign affairs institutions and academia, members of Nigeria's foreign service, members of the public interested in foreign relations, the diaspora, and diplomatic circles across Anglophone, Francophone, Lusophone, Latin American, Euro-Asian, and Caribbean regions. It is particularly relevant where cross-cultural engagements and Nigerian representations abroad are concerned.

"The life and career chronicled in these pages is a study in determination and perseverance....

That is the story of Ambassador Jaiyeola Lewu's life and times. He tells it with verve, candor, and mastery of the telling detail, but without yielding to the temptation to get even with adversaries, real or imagined.

Overall, a literary achievement by an accomplished Foreign Service Officer that is sure to enrich the genre."

- Olatunji Dare, Emeritus Professor of Journalism

Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois.

"I have greatly enjoyed reading the manuscript of these memoirs, written in a lucid and elegant style, and I have no hesitation in recommending it to our Foreign Service establishment, particularly to the subject's former professional colleagues, as well as to the general public."

- Oladapo Olusola Fafowora, OON, FNA.

A Trustee and Foundation President of ARCAN

"Great work. Passionate and Powerful.

This is one of the greatest memoirs written by a Nigerian foreign affairs official. Magnificent and almost magisterial.

The memoirs remind us of the need for public service personnel to tell their stories so that we all can know and learn, and our society can become better.

Well rounded, captures all facets of the diplomat's life and engagement, with enduring lessons on Nigeria's participation in the explosive international politics of the 21st century. Highly informative, entertaining and motivational."

- Amb Dr. Martin Uhomoibhi

Jaiyeola Joseph Lewu holds a Ph.D. from the famous Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Boston; a Fellowship of the Harvard Center for International Affairs, and membership of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Jos, Nigeria.

He joined the Nigerian Foreign Service in 1972 and was appointed an Ambassador in 1991, serving meritoriously for a cumulative three decades in five continents of the world, including Africa, Europe, Asia, North and South America.

Upon retirement, he served the United Nations dedicatedly in Peacekeeping operations in Sierra Leone between 2002 and 2006.

Ambassador Lewu is a proud native son of Kabba township in Kogi State of Nigeria. He is married to Princess Funmilayo Ifemi Lewu, and they are blessed with loving children and grandchildren.