Happy 60th birthday to Tonia and Tony

By Alexander Ekemenah

Hardly would anyone realise that they are twins. One would rather think they are couples, i.e. husband and wife. This is so because contrary to the common phenomenon that we are used to, they are not identical twins. Rather, they are a sharp contrast to each other.

The first is a woman while the second is a man.

Meet Professor Antonia Taiye Simbine and Mr Anthony Kehinde Okoosi.

On the 11^th day of March, 2025, Antonia and Anthony reached the Sixth Floor of their earthly existence, the Diamond Age at 60.

In a country where the average life expectancy is reported to be approximately 61.79 (2023), with males averaging 60 years and females 64 years, it becomes a matter of extreme joy to be able to celebrate 60 years of age especially in good health.

This was the case with Professor Antonia Taiye Simbine and Anthony Kehinde Okoosi. The 60^th birthday of the twins attracted a large number of family members, friends and colleagues to give thanks to the Almighty God for preserving the lives of the duo up to this Diamond Age.

Professor Antonia Taiye Simbine is the Director General of National Institute for Social and Economic Research (NISER) based in Ibadan, the capital town of Oyo State. Mr. Anthony Kehinde Okoosi is a private businessman.

Shattering the glass ceiling, Professor Simbine is the first female Director General of NISER in its about 65 years ago when the Institute was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria. She was appointed as the DG of NISER by former President Muhammadu Buhari with effect from 1^st June, 2022.

NISER is a public research institute and one of the foremost think-tanks in Africa. In 2006, the failing National Manpower Board was merged with NISER.

Antonia Taiye Simbine (Antonia Taiye Okoosi) was born along with her twin brother, Anthony Kehinde Okoosi, in Kaduna state where she lived most of her early life. The twins hail from Ayere in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Antonia obtained her first degree in Public Administration from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria in 1984 and MSc and PhD degrees in Political Science from University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan. She won the British Council Fellowship award to the University of Leeds, United Kingdom in 1993 as part of her PhD programme.

Until her appointment as the DG of NISER, she was a Researcher at NISER where she actually rose from a youth corps member in 1984 to the rank of Research Professor in 2010 and Director of the Social and Governance Policy Research Department (SGPRD). Her main areas of interest and in which she worked, published and consulted include Public Sector, Legislature, Politics, and Elections in Nigeria, Gender issues especially (Women’s) Education and Political Participation; International Relations/Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution as well as issues in socio-economic development and good governance.

In 2000, she was made Resource Person for the Swedish-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) on “Democracy Assessment in Nigeria”. In 2002/2003, she was a scholar on an exchange programme at the Centre for Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), New Delhi, India during which she compared the political party system in India with that of Nigeria.

Antonia was a Consultant to the Presidency’s Electoral Reform Committee (ERC) in 2008 and also worked with the sub-committee on Electoral Systems. She was later appointed a member of INEC Registration and Election Review Committee (IRERC) between August and November 2011. In 2013, she was appointed a Faculty Member and Reviewer for the New York-based Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa Fellowship Programme of the Social Science Research Council.

She is a member of several local and international professional organisations that promote democratic governance and development. She teaches Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Ibadan and serves as External Examiner (undergraduate and postgraduate) to Universities of Benin and Ilorin and Al-Hikmah University in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Her Google Scholar profile shows an awesome resume of academic scholarship with papers too numerous to mention. She is indeed an academic aficionado.

Under her office as the DG of NISER are Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), Internal Audit Unit, Legal Unit, Public Affairs and Information Unit (PAU) and SERVICOM Unit.

Antonia speaks Yoruba and Hausa fluently.

On the 11^th day of March, 2025, one of the conference halls of the Institute was filled to the brim as family members, friends and colleagues including staff of the Institute gathered to celebrate the duo with joy and happiness stamped on their faces.

Tonia and Tony are twins but not in any way identical at all, a situation that presents an amazing picturesque. Indeed, when one sees the two of them together for the first time, one would be justified to think and believe that they are husband and wife because of the sharp contrasts between them – until they disclose that they are twins.

Both of them publicly disclosed they are dependent on each other. Tonia said she wouldn’t know what to do with herself if she doesn’t have Tony around him. Tony likewise said he cannot do anything without his twin sister. Nature has provisioned each of them for each other – to enable them balance themselves in reciprocal manner.

How do we describe the contrasts?

Tonia presents a genteel persona, an easy-going type of a woman. On the other hand, Tony presents a rough-hewn visage that is typical of a businessman. But Tonia’s genteel persona belies her true or core character traits which consist of inner strength, principled and hardworking with stratospheric professorial knowledge to boot. Of course, having risen through the academic rank to become a Professor of Political Science and International Relations and other related disciplines and as a Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the premier national research institute, one can imagine the invisible steel with which her backbone is made of.

Underscoring Tonia’s extraordinary achievements both as a Professor of repute and Director General is the non-negotiable exposure to education that enable her to navigate herself to the very top of her professional career as an academician and also as an administrator of a public institute.

Professor Catherine Chovwen, an Industrial and Organisational Psychologist from Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, and a childhood friend of Tonia, was on ground as the keynote speaker to publicly expose the character traits of Tonia and Tony.

Chovwen’s keynote speech titled “Unleashing Human Potential: The Power of Education and Social Support” shows conclusively the role of education as a basic tool that every human being need to unleash his/her God-given or Nature-endowed latent abilities or capacities.

Chovwen asks what if the greatest resource we have isn’t gold, oil, or technology, but the untapped potential within people.

She notes that:

• Human potential is like crude oil, it must be refined to be valuable.
• It determines an individual’s ability to thrive and succeed.
• To unlock it, it must be recognized, nurtured, and developed.

The above is considered to be the foundation of human and social capital development.

Chovwen uses the analogy of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs which includes:

• Self-actualization: desire to become the most one can be
• Esteem: respect, self-esteem, status, recognition, strength, freedom
• Love and belonging: friendship, intimacy, family, sense of connection
• Safety needs: personal security, employment, resources, health, property
• Physiological needs: air, water, food, shelter, sleep, clothing, reproduction

The basic role of education, according to Chovwen, is to helps unlock potential and move up the hierarchy.

• Forms the foundation for skill development. (Through both formal and informal learning)
• Opens doors to opportunities, networking, and career paths.
• Shapes perception, enriches the mind, and promotes self-development.
• Determines career trajectory, employment, and personal fulfillment.
• Contributes to self-actualization and societal progress.

In an empirical case study she conducted for the purpose of the lecture, it was revealed that men consider education as a tool for career determination and skill-building while women highlighted education as a key platform for growth, whether formal or informal.

These insights enable us to see the social lens from citizens viewed the role of education.

Is education a pathway to sustainable social and human development or a scam? From her interviews she finds that:

1. The belief that “go to school, get a degree, secure a job” is no longer a guaranteed formula.
2. Some perceive education as overhyped, given that it does not always guarantee financial security.
3. There is a growing mismatch between classroom knowledge and real-world skills.

She further finds that

• Many students now prioritize business over higher education.
• Younger generations are skeptical about the return on investment of education

On the contrary, citing The Nation’s newspaper of March 9, 2025:

1. Education leads to knowledge and skill development, career advancement, and personal growth
2. It contributes to economic mobility, innovation, and problem-solving.
3. While formal education isn’t for everyone, continuous learning is key to adaptability and resilience.
4. “Formal education may not be for everyone, but foundational learning and the right guidance are crucial.”

She quoted Martin Luther King Jr: “As I engage in the so-called “bull sessions” around and about the school, I too often find that most college men have a misconception of the purpose of education. Most of the “brethren” think that education should equip them with the proper instruments of exploitation so that they can forever trample over the masses. Still others think that education should furnish them with noble ends rather than means to an end.”

Of the numerous challenges facing the educational sector in Nigeria, youth perception of education is one of them.

• Peer pressure, lack of focus, resilience, and a “get-rich-quick” mindset.
• Education is costly, and self-development requires sacrifice.
• Misuse of education and religion as tools for manipulation
• Lack of government support and motivation.

But what about social support?

• The perception of having help and guidance from key relationships.
• Sources of support include family, friends, mentors, professional networks, benefactors, community, and religious groups.

The above goes along the lines of empathy, love, trust (emotional); advice and information (informational) and information for self-evaluation (appraisal)

Accordingly, no one succeeds alone. Social support is very essential in this broad context. Men rely on family, friends, religious networks, and professional mentors while women emphasize mentorship, female role models, and faith.

Chovwen highlighted the main challenges facing social support. They are not always easy to access nor are they always positive.

• Social support can be negative or risky if one is influenced poorly.
• Lack of support can make success feel like an isolated journey.
• Not everyone has access to strong mentorship or role models.

“The key is to surround yourself with the right people who uplift and challenge you.”

Strategies for Unleashing Potential and how to overcome these challenges:

• Identify where you are and define your vision.
• Outline the steps that will take you from where you are to where you want to be.
• Leverage social support; mentors, peers, and role models matter.
• Use your strengths to reinforce your goals.
• Continuous learning, whether formal or informal, is key to growth.

“Your future is shaped by the people you surround yourself with and the knowledge you acquire.”

Your Potential Is Tied To Your Purpose:

• Stay loyal to your purpose.
• Empower yourself by acquiring knowledge.
• Invest in your relationship to get the best out of it.

“The greatest investment you can make is in yourself and the people around you”, Professor Chovwen concludes.

The keynote speech was used to demonstrate the role of education in shaping a person’s destiny. The erudite scholar also used the speech to contextualise the life of the celebrants: Professor Antonia Taiye Simbine and Mr. Anthony Kehinde Okoosi. Without such adequate education afforded them, it would be another story entirely. The narrative would have been different.

A birthday affords one to soberly reflect quietly in one’s privacy what has been achieved or left undone in the previous year or years: the good, the bad and even the ugly. It also affords one to solemnly promise to do better in the coming year or years. It is a promise to oneself, to one’s Creator.

Through a birthday, one can see the step-by-step ladder of one’s life. One can see where one has fallen in the immediate past, even grievously injured; where one has also experience inner peace and happiness (whatever is the cause for them); where one can count one’s blessings – without external noise. It is more often than not, a commune and conversation with one’s self and ultimately with one’s Creator. Sometimes, the conversation is carried out loudly with one’s closest and trusted associates such as husband, wife, family members, friends or colleagues.

Overwhelmingly, every moment of one’s existence should be celebrated quietly, for the Infinite Mercies and Grace of the Creator that bestow such an abundance of consciousness of existence on one’s life: in pains and trials of the physical body and the invisible spirit, in happiness and joy, in triumphs and setbacks, etc.

As Tonia and Tony look further up the ladder of longevity, may they continue to experience joy and happiness in their activities, May they find the strength of body and spirit to achieve greater heights in their lives in service of community, humanity and God.

Happy 60^th birthday to Professor Antonia Taiye Simbine and Mr. Anthony Kehinde Okoosi.

• Alex Ekemenah is the Chief Analyst of NextMoney and can be reached via 08168975679 or alexekemenah@gmail.com