“Meet F.O.,” I said, introducing the man with the square face and that perpetually undecided beard.

“F.O.? Nibo lo n fo lo?” (Where is he flying to?)

Such is often the fate of introducing Prof Femi Osofisan to unsuspecting company.

The response is usually playful disbelief. This unassuming gentleman? The national icon? Nah!

The simplicity, indeed, the sheer ordinariness, of his mien seems almost suspiciously at odds with the giant reputation.