THE just concluded African Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference (ADHTC) at the Hamilton Princess Hotel that drew more than 150 distinguished delegates from the Caribbean, African Nations and North and South America, was an event of extra special significance for one prominent Bermuda resident.

It was an opportunity for Rotimi Martins of Southampton, pictured above left, to reunite with three of his Nigerian compatriots who had leading roles in the ADHTC. They were his sister Christie Ade-Ajayi, a retired school principal and author of children's books; her husband J.F. Ade-Ajyi, who is Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria; and Professor Akinwande Oluwole (Wole) Soyinka on the right.

Nigerian-born Soyinka is renowned as Africa's most accomplished writer and poet; his works merited him the 1986 Nobel Prize for Literature. He was the conference'seynote speaker.

Rotimi took advantage of the ADHTC to dress in his striking native garb, which he does not ordinarily wear.

Aside from his work with local theatrical groups, Rotimi is equally well known for the partnership he shares with his wife Sheryl Caesar Matins, the owner and operator of Caesar's Pharmacy on Main Road in Somerset.

The couple met while both were students at Cardiff University in Wales. She qualified in pharmacology and he in theatrical arts and dance.

Rotimi returned to Africa and taught theatre arts at the University of Nigeria. When Rotimi and Sheryl were married in Bermuda in 1980, his sister Christie and her husband came to the island for the wedding. The conference was their first trip since.

Not only was it an opportunity for the siblings to reunite, it afforded Christie the chance to catch up with the poet Soyinka. Her youngest brother-in-law was married to the poet's youngest sister.

Christie, incidentally, brought with her a copy of her most recently published children's book titled The Big Yellow House. She presented the book to Sheryl's sister, Michelle Caesar, for use in the school she operates in Devonshire.