The Vice Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu has charged professors in the University community to work hard towards presenting their inaugural lectures, as the University under his leadership is willing to support and promote the inaugural lecture series.
Adamu made this known in Abuja during the 10th Inaugural Lecture of the University, delivered by a Professor of Education and Director, Abuja Model Study Centre of NOUN, Professor Abubakar Garba Suleiman, on Tuesday, 12th July, 2016, entitled, “The Need to Know and Understand Recreation, Leisure and Tourism Practices in Nigeria.”
According to him, the significance of an inaugural lecture in the career of an academic staff member of a university cannot be overemphasized, as it provides newly appointed professors the opportunity to inform colleagues, the campus community and the general public of their work to date, including their current research and future plans.
The Vice Chancellor, who expressed sympathy with the idea of inaugural lectures, advised professors to consider the opportunity of coming up with their inaugural lectures saying, “If the university will have to do an inaugural lecture every single day or every single week, we will support it. Money will not be an excuse. So, come along and we will support it.”
Continuing, he said: “I therefore urge all other professors, who have not yet delivered their inaugural lectures to do so as soon as possible. If you have already delivered your lecture at a prior institution before migrating to NOUN, then I urge you to deliver a public lecture for us.”
He maintained that it was unacceptable that NOUN has existed as a university for almost fifteen years, yet it has only ten inaugural lectures in its series, whereas other universities in the country are doing their inaugural lectures almost on a regular basis.
On the academic procession of the inaugural lecture which was led by the VC were Professor Patrick Eya (Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics), Professor Victor Adedipe (Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration), Mrs. Josephine Akinyemi (Registrar), Mr. Ernest Odeyega (Acting Bursar), and Professor Ibrahim Olatundem (Dean, Faculty of Education) among others.
The Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, who is also a Visiting Associate Professor at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) was accompanied to the inaugural lecture by Mr. Alex Omijie (Director, Orientation and Cultural Affairs); Mr. Mike Ekoko (Ag. Director, Research & Documentation); Mr. Law Ikay Ezeh (Deputy Director/SA to ES); Dr. (Mrs.) Regina Onuoha (Coordinator, Abuja Study Centre, NICO Training School); Mrs. Chioma Duru (Assistant Director, Research & Documentation); and Mrs. Maria Okpuzor (Chief Cultural Officer), among others officers and students of NICO Training School, Abuja Study Centre.
Caleb Nor
Corporate Affairs Unit
NICO, Abuja