8th ZIK Lecture: Fmr. President of Sierra Leone, Festus Keyamo, Fani Kayode, others set for the biggest lecture series in Africa

8th ZIK LECTURE

Tomorrrow, all roads lead to the main auditorium of the university of all times, Nnamdi Azikiwe University for the 8th Zik's Lecture Series.

The foremost and dynamic higher institution of learning, UNIZIK, as it is fondly called, is named after the father of Nigerian Nationalism, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

The late Dr. Azikiwe was a great driving force behind Nigeria's Independence in 1960. He subsequently served as the Governor General of the country from 1960 through 1963 after which he bacame the first President of Nigeria when it became a republic.

Seeing the heroics of the late Owelle of Onitsha and great Zik of Africa as he is widely known, it is no surprise that UNIZIK asides being eponymously named after this great political icon and intellectual, is also endowed with one of the greatest academic gatherings in any institution of higher learning in the country and beyond tagged 'The Zik's Lecture Series' in his honour.

'The Zik's Lecture Series' which is an annual event is the initiative of Distinguished Senator (Dr.) Ben Ndi Obi, the Ojeligbo of Awka and former Senior Special Adviser to the immediate past president of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

Senator Ndi Obi who was greatly influence by Dr. Azikiwe, and attributes his foray into politics to inspiration drawn from the late statesman, instituted The Zik's Lecture Series to reflect the personality and ideals of the great Zik of Africa. He intends the annual lecture to serve as a platform to attract individuals who rose to Zik's political status in their various countries such as former presidents and prime ministers to come rub minds and share their wealth of knowledge on various topical issues.

In line with the vision of its founder and benefactor till date, Distinguished Senator (Dr.) Ndi Obi, The Zik's Annual Lecture Series has since it's inception in the year 2006 to immortalize the late Dr. Azikiwe, served as a veritable platform to propagate the ideals of the great pan-african nationalist whose widespread acclaim traverses Africa and beyond. The lecture series which is annually convened through UNIZIK Faculty of Social Sciences brings together distinguished Africans across the globe and offer them a platform for vigorous discourse on burning national issues.

Over the years the lecture series has effectively propagated the timeless ideals and enduring values which occupied the Great Zik of Africa while he was alive such as 'The Dignity of The Human Being', 'The Emancipation of Africa', 'The Liberation of The Continent' to mention but a few. The event has also attracted important personalities to come speak on issues bordering on Security, Corruption and all manner of challenges bedeviling and confronting Africa as a continent.

Amongst other things, the lecture series has continuously exposed the university's students to critical out-of-academics view points on various societal issues and also afforded them the opportunity to not just meet distinguished individuals whom they had hitherto only read or heard about, but also have them weigh in on issues that may never get brought up, discussed or deliberated upon in their various classrooms.

From burning national issues on things bordering on 'Crisis, Education and Africa's Recovery', 'Taming The Monster of Corruption in Africa', 'Africa's Development and The Crisis of Inequality', and 'The Role of Organised Labour' to 'Political Economy of Restructuring in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects'; as well as 'Magic Lantern As Caution in the Creative Realm', this explosive and spectacular lecture series held annually on late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe's birthday, the 16th of November, has over the years captured the most contentious political issues in Nigeria and Africa in general.

This year's edition is however no different, as the 8th installment of the Zik's Annual Lecture Series which is scheduled for 10am today, Saturday, 16th November, 2019 at the university's main auditorium will be centered around the very apt theme: 'Migration and Development in Africa: Patterns, Issues and Challenges.'

The event in its usual fashion will feature a past President, in the person of His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, the immediate past President of Sierra Leone as the guest speaker while the former governor of old Anambra State, His Excellency Senator Chief Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo (CON) will serve as its chairman.

The 8th Zik Lecture Series has His Excellency, Chief Dr. Willie Obiano, the executive governor of Anambra State as the Chief Guest of Honour; UNIZIK Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone as Chief host; and the Dean of UNIZIK Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Rita Ugokwe-Joseph as the Host.

The discussants at the lecture include the Honourable Minister of State, Labour and Productivity and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Festus Keyamo; former Minister for Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; and the Director-General of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Dim Julie Okah-Donli.

The Royal Fathers of the day are the Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe; and the Ezeuzu II of Awka, His Royal Majesty, Obi Dr. Gibson Nwosu.

The organisers and benefactor of the 8th Zik's Lecture Series cordially invite all and sundry to come be part this very auspicious event which promises to be just as interesting as previous editions and even more.

Do well to attend!