The first ever Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Memorial Lecture in Anambra State took place at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. It was scheduled to coincide with the 85th Post Humous Birthday anniversary of his birthday, and is an initiative of the visionary Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Greg Nwakoby.
The Chairman Of the occasion was Prof Chukwuma Soludo, and the Memorial lecture was delivered by the very erudite Prof Chidi Odinkalu. It was a very scintillating and highly engaging lecture titled ‘BETWEEN FORCE OF REASON AND REASON FOR FORCE: THE LEGACY OF CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU OJUKWU’
It was a succesful ceremony, attended by friends, associates , traditional rulers, the Clergy lecturers, staff and students of the university, in addition those of Nnamdi Azikiwe University. As well as countless wellwishers who hold Dim Ojukwu in high esteem.
Regrettably, the Governor Of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, in spite of several notifications regarding this event was too busy to attend this landmark event, the first ever memorial lecture at the university in honour of a man who sacrificed everything for his people, whose legacy APGA, the party which he nurtured with his sweat and blood gave our distinguished Governor Willie Obiano the platform and opportunity to realize his political ambition.
Understandably our only APGA Governor was too busy attending another event dubbed ‘Ember month operations’ some kilometers away from the venue of this memorial lecture. He delegated his Deputy to represent him.Nevertheless, we look forward to receiving Governor Obiano and all others who are political beneficiaries of the legacy of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu at next year’s memorial lecture series. Hopefully their ever busy schedules will permit them to attend.
On this note I pray that God grants us, as a people the consciousness to look back at yesterday, to our past and remember those who sacrificed so much for us, to learn to carve out time to celebrate and honour them, and not just to take advantage of and enjoy the privileges their sacrifices have bestowed upon us while jettisoning the obligations that come with those privileges. Our people have an adage that says that ‘ ebulu ozu onye ozo, o di ka ukwu nku ka ebu’.
May God also help the Igbo nation to appreciate the eternally haunting truth that those who do not honour their heroes...those who do not remember their past, and those who do not learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it.
May the valiant soul of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu continue to Rest in the peace of the lord. Amen.More photos below.
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