Obiano, Oshiomole, others celebrate Zik

By Franklin Onwubiko

Monday, the 16th day of November 2015 marked the 101 years the great Zik and first president of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was born at Zungeru, Niger state. As part of the celebration of this great colossus, the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka named after Zik rolled out drums in honour of the late Dr. Azikiwe.

The lecture tagged the Zik annual lecture series is organized by the faculty of social sciences and this year’s event is the 5th in its series. The lecture since its inception has attracted eminent personalities as guest speakers. These include the Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, a former Ghanaian president, Ft. Lt. Jerry Rawlings, former commonwealth secretary Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former ASUU leader Asisi Asobie, others.

Just like the previous lectures, this year’s lecture attracted reputable personalities who include the executive governors of Anambra and Edo states, Chief Dr. Willie Obiano and Comrade Adams Oshiomole respectively; the CEO of Success Africa Kampala Uganda, Ethan Musolini; the wife of the late Zik, Prof. Uche Azikiwe; chairman Emerald energy and one time special adviser to president Jonathan on petroleum matters, Dr. Emma Egbogah; former special adviser to former president Jonathan on political matters, Sen. Ben Ndi Obi among others.

The topics for the lecture were “The New Vista of Entrepreneurship: Engaging the Unengaged Hands in Africa; and African Development and the Crisis of Inequality: The Role of Organized Labour. Ethan Musolini and Gov. Oshiomole handled the two topics respectively.

In his remark, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Egbogah described Dr. Azikiwe as a hero who fought for the salvation, restoration and dignity of man in Africa. He said that the event was geared towards keeping the memory of the great Zik alive while calling on stakeholders and leaders in different strata of government to work in line with the motto of Zik’s West African pilot newspaper, which says, “Show the light and the people will find the way”.

Delivering the first lecture, Mr. Musolini faulted the education system in Africa, which is based on theories instead of practical, which the individual would require in excelling after school. In his words, “Our education system is quite challenged and need to be redressed. There should be practical representation in education”. He preached entrepreneurship describing an entrepreneur as somebody who solves a problem at a profit. He frowned at high emphasis placed on white-collar jobs stressing that students should while in the university engage their hands on profitable ventures no matter how little.

Comrade Oshiomole while addressing the crisis of inequality said that the level of development in a country or society can be measured based on its positive impact on everybody in the society and not just to a particular set of people. He added that the crisis of inequality could be removed through a more structured conversation among fundamentals in society and government. The Edo state governor  urged those who have state powers to use it properly in not just fighting corruption but also fighting inferiority  and equitable distribution of resources,  effort and reward among workers and people in the society. 
Governor Obiano is his remark said that Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was a detribalized Nigerian who pursued unity of Nigeria with all sincerity. “Zik spoke many languages; he was one politician who did not put himself first. He was a true democrat”, Obiano said. He commended the university for keeping the memory of the late Zik alive. He pledged a 34-seater bus for the students of the institution to aid transportation.

Earlier in his address, the vice chancellor of the institution, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku stated that through public lectures, conferences and workshops, organized by the university through its departments and faculties, the university seek to address various issues of national and international concern, with a view to broadening and deepening knowledge on them and in the process generating ideas that could help in transforming society for the better. He posited that this year's rendition of the Zik Annual Lecture Series features two lectures: African Development and the crisis of Inequality: The role of organized labour; and the new vista of entrepreneurship: engaging the unengaged hands in Africa. According to Prof. Ahaneku, these issues should be at the arrowhead of Africa's development efforts. He posited that there is a yawning gap between the haves and the haves-nots and that there is a compelling need to bridge this gap. He commended the faculty for the annual lecture.

In his remark, the benefactor, High Chief Senator Ben Ndi Obi stated that the endowment is purposely for the realization of his childhood dream of perpetual identification with the ideals and person of the greatest political leader, his mentor and first president of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who sacrificed his personal advantageous positions for the emancipation of his people.

Also in his address, the Dean of the faculty, Revd. Fr. Prof. Jude Ezeokana said that the essence of the lecture is to create a campus wide conversation and expression of the fundamental need for the development of the students and university community and the public in general while calling on d students to tap from the knowledge provided both in the entrepreneurial and effectiveness of labour productivity. In his vote of thanks, the chairman Local Organizing committee and Head of Department of Psychology, Dr. Harry Obi Nwosu while expressing his gratitude to the invitees who despite schedule defied their engagements to grace the event describing it as a huge success. 
High point of the occasion was the presentation of souvenirs to Gov. Oshiomole, Mr. Musolini and Dr. Egbogah.