Nigeria, Nov. 1 -- The survival of a nation extends far beyond the medals and applauses garnered at high-level ceremonies. Instead, it takes people sitting in windowless rooms while negotiating with hostile military juntas. Many time they get no applause for their efforts, but if they make one clerical error, a peace treaty can collapse entirely.

Recently, President Jose Ramos-Horta of Timor-Leste conferred the prestigious Medal of the Order of Timor-Leste on Nigerian scholar-diplomat and founder of Yintab Strategy Consults, Professor Babafemi A. Badejo. Yet, amidst the diplomatic fanfare, the moment that struck me most was Badejo's acceptance speech. Rather than claiming sole credit for what he has achieved, he dedicated the medal to "e...