The Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra state held her 9th and 10th combined Zik Lecture Series at the ASUU secretariat auditorium of the university organized by the faculty of social science under the distinguished chairmanship of Engr. Dave Umahi, Governor of Ebonyi State who was ably represented by his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe.
In his opening remarks, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi commended the university administration for finding it needful to organize and uphold this worthy event in the honor of the late Nnamdi Azikiwe.
The dean of the Faculty of social science, Prof. Uche Collins Nwogwugwu who gave the welcome address extolled senator Dr. Ben Ndi Obi (CON) who is the benefactor of the zik lecture series while taking time to elucidate on the early life of the late Nnamdi Azikiwe. He remarked that Zik Lecture Series is an annual event endowed by senator Ben Ndi Obi which has become the University most prominent academic event with international visibility that has attracted eminent dignitaries as well as outstanding scholars as past guest lecturers which included, His excellency, J.J Rawlings of Ghana 🇬🇠(in memoriam), former President of Tanzania 🇹🇿, Benjamin Mkapa, His excellency, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, former president of Sierra Leone , His excellency, Raila Odinga, former prime Minister of Kenya 🇰🇪, His excellency, Atiku Abubakar, former Vice president of Nigeria 🇳🇬 and Professor Okwudiba Nnoli, Prof. Asisi Asobie, Professor Wole Soyinka and a host of others.
Prof. Charles Okechukwu Esimone, FAS  the Vice chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka  in his welcome speech appreciated in a special way, the wife of late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Prof. Uche Azikiwe who was present alongside her son as he welcomed his special guests ; His excellency, Engr. Dave Umahi, Governor of Ebonyi State, His excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu state governor, His excellency Dr. Okezie Ikpeazụ, Governor of Abia state, His excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo state and of course, His excellency, Chief Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State. In a special way, he thanked His excellency, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, Governor of Ekiti state who’s the guest speaker, High chief Achebe, Obi of Onitsha amongst other dignitaries.
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The distinguished guest lecturer, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi whose outstanding citation was read by Prof. Frank-Collins Okafor gave a didactic lecture about Nnamdi Azikiwe whom he described a selfless leader, sound in character of whose sacrificial lifestyle is worthy of emulation. Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe, usually referred to as “Zik”, was a Nigerian statesman and political leader who served as the first President of Nigeria from 1963 to 1966. Considered a driving force behind the nation’s independence, he came to be known as the “father of Nigerian Nationalism”.
The guest lecturer who enjoyed the serene ambience of the lecture hall enumerated the various roles Zik played for Nigeria’s independence and of course in Africa as a whole which gave him the famous name, “Zik of Africa”.
Distinguished senator representing Anambra Central senatorial district, Iyom Sen. Uche Ekwunife, PhD gave her goodwill message as the entire dignitaries cut Zik’s Posthumous Birthday cake 🎂.
Several awards were presented to most of the invited dignitaries as the wife of the late first president of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Prof. Uche Azikiwe thanked the organizers of the occasion while pleading for the occasion to be made a national one.
See images below.
By Echezonam Ibezim Jk
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