The Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), a body that has the primary objective of promoting research and scholarship at the highest level in all the branches of the Humanities, holds its Annual Convocation at the University of Lagos Main Auditorium, on Thursday, the 15th of August, 2013, at 11 am.
NAL, which owes its origin to Section 641 of the Udoji Report of 1974, in which the creation of National Academies was recommended, was formed by learned societies, including the Historical Society of Nigeria, the Philosophical Society of Nigeria, the Linguistic Association of Nigeria, the Hausa Studies Association, the Yoruba Studies Association, the Biblical Studies Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian English Studies Association, the University French Teachers’ Association of Nigeria, and the Society for the Promotion of Igbo Language and Culture.
Members of the Academy are scholars, who have been Professors for at least five (5) years in various branches of the Humanities, while Regular Fellows are scholars, who have been Professors for at least ten (10) years, and are not only distinguished, but also current in terms of research and publications.
A press release signed by the Secretary of the Academy, Professor Dele Layiwola of the University of Ibadan, stated that the Convocation Lecture, titled, “Nigeria’s Cultural Tapestry and the Challenge of Development,” will be delivered by Professor Ayodeji Olukoju, Vice-Chancellor, Caleb University, Imota.
Past Convocation Lecturers include Emeritus Professor Ade Ajayi, Professor Wole Soyinka, Emeritus Professor Ayo Bamgbose, Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo, Emeritus Professor E.J. Alagoa, Emeritus Professor Tekena Tamuno, Emeritus Professor Jide Osuntokun, Professor Munzali Jibril, Professor Anthony Asiwaju, Professor Olatunji Oloruntimehin, Professor Oyin Abogunrin, and Professor Abiola Irele.
Those to be honoured this at the Convocation Ceremony, as Regular Fellows, are Professor Richard Olaniyan (History, Obafemi Awolowo University), Professor Is-haq Oloyede (Islamics, University of Ilorin), and Professor Eno-Abasi Urua (Linguistics, University of Uyo).
The statement added that Honorary Fellows of NAL are eminent Nigerians of exemplary character, who have made outstanding contributions to national development, including Mr. Gamaliel Onosode; Chief (Dr.) Bayo Kuku; Chief Emeka Anyaoku; the Emir of Suleija, HRH Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammadu Awwal Ibrahim; the Oba of Benin, Omo N’oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Erediauwa II; Mallam Adamu Ciroma; Archbishop (Dr.) Adebola Ademowo; Ambassador J.T.F Iyalla; Ambassador B. A. Clark; and Alagba Adebayo Faleti.
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