the Permanent International Committee of Linguists, the first time an African linguist has been so honoured. In 2009, he was elected Foundation President of the Assembly of Academicians of the African Academy of Languages (ACALAN). He is also a member of the executive committee of the Nigerian Academy of Letters of which he is the foundation member. He was the sole recipient of the Nigerian National Order of Merit in 1990. Notable Visiting Appointments Visiting Professor to University of Hamburg in 1979-80 Visiting Fellow to Clare Hall, Cambridge University in 1987-88 George A. Miller Visiting Professor to the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1993-95 Visiting Professor to the University of Leipzig in 1997-1999. References 1932 births Living people Linguists from Nigeria Linguists of Yoruba Alumni of the University of Edinburgh Academic staff of the University of Ibadan Alumni of the University of London