The biennial memorial lecture in honour of foremost writer , Late
Professor Chinua Achebe was held recently at the Princess Alexandra
Auditorium , University of Nigeria , Nsukka ( UNN ), Enugu State ,
Nigeria. The biennial event was organised by the Arts Faculty of the
University in memory of literary icon , Professor Albert Chinualumogu
Achebe .
This year ' s lecture is titled: " In the service of the Arts ; In the
service of Culture and Nation" . In his welcome address , Vice
Chancellor of UNN , Professor Benjamin C . Ozumba , represented by the
Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration , Professor Charles Igwe ,
extoled the rare qualities of the literary icon Achebe ; who in his
inkling , lives on .
He emphasised that the aim of the university is not solely on what he
embodies to them as an institution , but his posture and strides in
the entire black race and the world at large . The vice chancellor
said this year 's lecture stands out inimitable going by the topic he
said highlights the role of the Arts in the sustenance of the cultures
and values of peoples , and to maintain social ethics and engender a
sense of direction.
Also in the same vain , the Dean of the Faculty of Arts ( UNN ),
Professor Pat U . Okpoko , welcomed the guests and stated that the
faculty has always honoured Chinua Achebe ; being an icon whose
footprints on the faculty and on the global circle cannot be
obliterated even in generations to come .
Okpoko , said attempts to honour Achebe by the Department of Arts
started far back in 1990 before the icon ' s demise in 2013 , and
stated that henceforth , the biennial lecture will be held as at when
due .
The Dean said this year ' s title; " In the service of Arts : In the
service of Culture and Nation. "
Is being organized as a public lecture rather than as a conference,
and enunciated that the academic aspect ' Colloquium' will be anchored
by renowned literary giants , to be followed by Awards of Excellence
to be bestowed on two great Nigerians .
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion , Senator
Chukwuka Utazi , said the topic aptly falls in line with those ideals
Achebe embodied . Senator Utazi , who is the Senate Committee Chairman
on Anti -Corruption and Financial Crimes , said that the first book of
Achebe, 'Things Fall Apart' opened Africa to the rest of the world and
painted a picture as well as a narrative to her way of life .
Achebe in his manner of keeping leaders on their toes hid not his
distraught on the modus with which things were going on in the
governance of the country at large , and Anambra State in particular,
a situation that prompted his rejection of national award to him . His
outcry brought the corrective sledgehammer that aided in Mr . Peter
Obi reclaiming his mandate in Anambra state .
The keynote speaker at the event - Mr . Peter Obi , former Governor of
Anambra State extoled many inimitable virtues of Chinua Achebe . He
recalled that when he assumed office in Anambra , education standard
was at a very low ebb .
The state was 24 th in the performance rung in the country then , a
situation he brought to the first position . The health sector was
nowhere to be reckoned with , as there was no functional teaching
hospital in the state where medical students from the state
institutions could do their houseman ship when he came ; a situation
that necessitated students from the state going to Ebonyi State for
their houseman ship . The situation he said compelled him to build a
functional teaching hospital in the state .
Obi , further pointed out that the state today has one of the best
network of roads in the federation which goes in line with the dreams
of Chinua Achebe . The colloquium was presented by Professor J . O.J
Nwachukwu - Agbada , with eminent discussants like , Associate
Professor Remy Oriaku, of the University of Ibadan and Professor Lady
Esther Ugwu, University of Benin .
The special guest was Justice C . Chukwuma –Eneh . Presentation of
awards to two distinguished Nigerians which was anchored by the UNN
Public Relations Officer , Chief Okwun and Dr . Ikenna Onwuegbuna ,
while the presentation was performed on behalf of the vice chancellor
by Professor Charles Igwe .
The award winners include , Chief Emmanuel Okonkwo (a . k . a . Bishop
) OFR , of Ekulo Nigeria Limited and Chief Ugochukwu Orji, CEO , Romex
properties Nigeria Limited . They were being honoured with "
Entrepreneurship / Corporate Governance award , and Entrepreneurship /
Building Technology Award, respectively in recognition for their
pedigree and sterling qualities in these spheres .
In his contribution , the founder , Crusade for Justice , a Human
Right Advocacy Group , Barrister Richard Nwankwo, said Achebe brought
Nigeria and the black nation to limelight and rewrote her biography as
people that have something to offer to the global human race .
Professor A .N. Akwanya , who is also a Rev . father, in his remark
commended the Arts Department of the institution for giving honour to
whom honour is due , he thanked God for creating Achebe a Nigerian and
appreciated the vice chancellor and the esteemed guests for making the
event real .
Professor Chinua Achebe was held recently at the Princess Alexandra
Auditorium , University of Nigeria , Nsukka ( UNN ), Enugu State ,
Nigeria. The biennial event was organised by the Arts Faculty of the
University in memory of literary icon , Professor Albert Chinualumogu
Achebe .
This year ' s lecture is titled: " In the service of the Arts ; In the
service of Culture and Nation" . In his welcome address , Vice
Chancellor of UNN , Professor Benjamin C . Ozumba , represented by the
Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration , Professor Charles Igwe ,
extoled the rare qualities of the literary icon Achebe ; who in his
inkling , lives on .
He emphasised that the aim of the university is not solely on what he
embodies to them as an institution , but his posture and strides in
the entire black race and the world at large . The vice chancellor
said this year 's lecture stands out inimitable going by the topic he
said highlights the role of the Arts in the sustenance of the cultures
and values of peoples , and to maintain social ethics and engender a
sense of direction.
Also in the same vain , the Dean of the Faculty of Arts ( UNN ),
Professor Pat U . Okpoko , welcomed the guests and stated that the
faculty has always honoured Chinua Achebe ; being an icon whose
footprints on the faculty and on the global circle cannot be
obliterated even in generations to come .
Okpoko , said attempts to honour Achebe by the Department of Arts
started far back in 1990 before the icon ' s demise in 2013 , and
stated that henceforth , the biennial lecture will be held as at when
due .
The Dean said this year ' s title; " In the service of Arts : In the
service of Culture and Nation. "
Is being organized as a public lecture rather than as a conference,
and enunciated that the academic aspect ' Colloquium' will be anchored
by renowned literary giants , to be followed by Awards of Excellence
to be bestowed on two great Nigerians .
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion , Senator
Chukwuka Utazi , said the topic aptly falls in line with those ideals
Achebe embodied . Senator Utazi , who is the Senate Committee Chairman
on Anti -Corruption and Financial Crimes , said that the first book of
Achebe, 'Things Fall Apart' opened Africa to the rest of the world and
painted a picture as well as a narrative to her way of life .
Achebe in his manner of keeping leaders on their toes hid not his
distraught on the modus with which things were going on in the
governance of the country at large , and Anambra State in particular,
a situation that prompted his rejection of national award to him . His
outcry brought the corrective sledgehammer that aided in Mr . Peter
Obi reclaiming his mandate in Anambra state .
The keynote speaker at the event - Mr . Peter Obi , former Governor of
Anambra State extoled many inimitable virtues of Chinua Achebe . He
recalled that when he assumed office in Anambra , education standard
was at a very low ebb .
The state was 24 th in the performance rung in the country then , a
situation he brought to the first position . The health sector was
nowhere to be reckoned with , as there was no functional teaching
hospital in the state where medical students from the state
institutions could do their houseman ship when he came ; a situation
that necessitated students from the state going to Ebonyi State for
their houseman ship . The situation he said compelled him to build a
functional teaching hospital in the state .
Obi , further pointed out that the state today has one of the best
network of roads in the federation which goes in line with the dreams
of Chinua Achebe . The colloquium was presented by Professor J . O.J
Nwachukwu - Agbada , with eminent discussants like , Associate
Professor Remy Oriaku, of the University of Ibadan and Professor Lady
Esther Ugwu, University of Benin .
The special guest was Justice C . Chukwuma –Eneh . Presentation of
awards to two distinguished Nigerians which was anchored by the UNN
Public Relations Officer , Chief Okwun and Dr . Ikenna Onwuegbuna ,
while the presentation was performed on behalf of the vice chancellor
by Professor Charles Igwe .
The award winners include , Chief Emmanuel Okonkwo (a . k . a . Bishop
) OFR , of Ekulo Nigeria Limited and Chief Ugochukwu Orji, CEO , Romex
properties Nigeria Limited . They were being honoured with "
Entrepreneurship / Corporate Governance award , and Entrepreneurship /
Building Technology Award, respectively in recognition for their
pedigree and sterling qualities in these spheres .
In his contribution , the founder , Crusade for Justice , a Human
Right Advocacy Group , Barrister Richard Nwankwo, said Achebe brought
Nigeria and the black nation to limelight and rewrote her biography as
people that have something to offer to the global human race .
Professor A .N. Akwanya , who is also a Rev . father, in his remark
commended the Arts Department of the institution for giving honour to
whom honour is due , he thanked God for creating Achebe a Nigerian and
appreciated the vice chancellor and the esteemed guests for making the
event real .
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