By Ikenna Nwokedi
The Obi Alfred Achebe Annual Lecture Planning Committee on Tuesday, 3rd September 2024 paid a courtesy visit to UNIZIK Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Carol Arinze-Umobi.
The visit by the committee members led by its Chairman, Professor Godwin Onu was to inundate the Acting Vice-Chancellor, who is also a member of the committee, on preparations towards the lecture series which will hold in December 2024.
In his address during the courtesy visit, Prof. Onu congratulated Prof. Arinze-Umobi on her appointment as the institution’s Chief Executive and her efforts in addressing pertinent matters with the latest being the challenges on obtaining Identification Cards for Professors of the University while he also prayed God to continue to guide the Acting Vice-Chancellor and give her the strength and wisdom to discharge her duties effectively.
The Former Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko disclosed that the Obi Alfred Achebe Annual Lecture committee was constituted by the institution’s former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Esimone during the 221st Senate meeting of the institution. Prof. Onu informed that the committee have had series of meetings and came up with a proposed day of December 12th or 17th, 2024 for the lecture which is at the instance of Igwe Achebe, who is expected to present the first lecture as well as decisions made on dignitaries for the event such as the Royal Father of the Day, Chairman of the occasion, Chief Host, Distinguished Guest of Honour and Guest of Honour.
The scholar also informed that the philosophy behind the lecture series is to create a centre for Igbo repository which would be named after Igwe Achebe and a proposed building to be erected with five wings housing the Hall of Fame, Igbo Repository, Library, Conference/Seminar rooms and offices. He thanked the Acting Vice-Chancellor for her audience despite her busy schedules.
Responding, UNIZIK Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Arinze-Umobi thanked the committee for the efforts made thus far in ensuring that the upcoming lecture series would be a success. Prof. Arinze-Umobi affirmed that with the caliber of persons who constitute the members of the committee, the upcoming academic programme will no doubt be among the best held in the institution.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor pledged her total support towards making the event laudable while admonishing the committee members to work hard and ensure that the upcoming programme becomes a success. Prof. Arinze-Umobi also informed the committee of her decision to add her Special Adviser on Legal Matters, Rev. Fr. Dr. Maurice Izunwa as a member of the committee.
In a vote of thanks, a committee member, Professor Jaja Nwanegbo thanked the Vice-Chancellor for hosting the committee members. Prof. Nwanegbo adduced that for once the institution have produced a Vice-Chancellor who has responded to policy matters. The scholar highlighted the attributes of a good leader as communication, trustworthiness and self accountability.
Prof. Nwanegbo advised the Acting Vice-Chancellor to keep up her good works while also promising that the committee will ensure the image of Agbogidi will not be dented in the course of the programme.
Members of the Committee present during the courtesy visit were the Chairman, Prof. Godwin Onu and Secretary, Mrs Urenna Okamgba. Others are Prof. Patrick Egbunike, Prof. Jaja Nwanegbo, Rev. Sr. Dr. Adaoma Igwedibia, Dr. Chinedu Mbalisi, Engr. Dr. Ikenna Nwokedi and Mrs Chika Derek-ofojekwu.
High points of the courtesy visit was a group photograph between the Vice-Chancellor and members of the committee.
