Professor Tanure Ojaide, a renowned scholar of African Studies at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, has called on Nigerian academics to restore the intellectual integrity of the nation’s universities. Speaking during a memorial lecture and book presentation in honour of the late Professor Unionmwan Joseph Edebiri, Ojaide emphasized the critical role of intellectuals in driving societal progress.
The event, hosted by the Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos (UNILAG), in partnership with the Edebiri family, highlighted the late scholar’s contributions to academia. Delivering a lecture titled “The Intellectual and Society: The Nature, Role, and Importance of Humanities Education in Nigeria,” Ojaide lamented the absence of bold intellectual voices in the country.
“Universities are plagued by sectionalism and favouritism, reflecting the divisions in the larger society. This must be addressed for academia to play its role in fostering unity,” he stated. He also urged academics to combat systemic corruption, ethnic and religious biases, and champion diversity to ensure national development.
Ojaide commended Professor Edebiri for his lifelong dedication to intellectualism and inclusivity, describing him as a scholar who embodied the ideals of equity and academic rigor. “Edebiri’s work remains a testament to the role academics must play as the moral compass of society,” he said.
The event spotlighted two of Edebiri’s final works: “Le Langue Français et la Littérature Africaine Francophone au Nigeria” and “Literary and Translation Studies in Africa.” Both were published in 2023, encapsulating a career that spanned five decades.
Professor Remi Sonaiya reviewed the French-language work, while Professor Abiola Ajayi, representing Professor Lateef Ayeleru, Director of the Nigeria French Language Village, reviewed the latter.
Dignitaries, including former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Major-General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd), and renowned Chemical Engineering scholar, Professor Ayo Ogunye, lauded Edebiri’s unparalleled contributions to academia. Chairman of the occasion, Oluwole Coker, described him as “a rare beacon of intellectual brilliance, whose works will resonate through generations.”
Edebiri’s son, Uyi, delivered a moving tribute, highlighting his father’s impact on four generations of scholars. “My father taught for 50 years, raised four generations of professors, and left an indelible mark on countless lives. Even at the age of 81, with his last strength, he completed two books that encapsulate his lifetime of academic work,” Uyi said.
Mrs. Efe Farinre, another family member, announced the establishment of the Prof. Unionmwan Edebiri Prize for Best Student in Francophone Literature. The inaugural award was presented to Miss Motunrayo Adesibikan, a UNILAG student, as a tribute to Edebiri’s dedication to mentoring young scholars.
The event not only celebrated the life and legacy of Professor Edebiri but also served as a clarion call for Nigerian academics to reclaim their roles as agents of change and thought leaders in society.
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