I woke this morning to the news of the passing away of my International Investment Arbitration lecturer, V. V. Veeder QC. The world has lost a great mind. Johnny was one of the greatest arbitrators the world has ever seen, and yet clearly the most humble person I ever met. 
I met Johnny Veeder QC for the first time during our induction into the Dickson Poon School of Law at @KCL_Law. Despite his humble mien, I felt I was in the presence of greatness. After he was introduced, I did a simple Google check and almost screamed. I decided on the spot...
...that I was going to offer whatever module he taught, even if it was Space Law. And so began my love for investment-treaty arbitration. When my own story is told, they will say I was taught by the very best.
One of my lasting memories of Johnny Veeder was when I walked up to him after a class to tell him what was my Dissertation topic (he was not my Supervisor). He was very excited for me and even recommended what turned out to be the most impactful book I read in 2019.
Talking to him, you would sometimes needed to be reminded that this man became a QC (equivalent of SAN in Nigeria) in 1986! Or that he was appointed as an Investor State Arbitrator more than 30 times (most as Chairman), he was that humble.
I am deeply honoured to be part of the last class to be taught by Johnny Veeder, altho if given the choice it is not an honour I would have wanted. But as we say in Christianese, God knows best. May his soul rest in peace & may God grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss.
