The Vice Chancellor of Imo State University, Owerri, Prof. U.U. Chukwumaeze, SAN, will be the Odenigbo Lecturer of this year’s Odenigbo Lecture series.
The lecture, “Iwu Chukwu: Akamgba Chere Ndị Omeiwu, Okaiwu, Obiikpe, Ochekwaiwu na Ụmụmmadu,” will be delivered tomorrow, Saturday the 7th day of September, 2024.
The programme shall commence with a Holy Mass at 9am in Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, while the lecture shall commence at 1pm at Obiri Odenigbo inside the Cathedral.
As a prelude to tomorrow’s event, there shall be a cultural evening today, Friday the 6th day of September, from 2pm to 7pm, where cultural activities – wrestling, cultural dance, games, jokes, riddles – shall be displayed.
Odenigbo is a Lecture series established by the former Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, His Grace A.J.V. Obinna in 1996, to promote the growth of the Igbo language and celebrate the cultural heritage and values of ndi igbo.
The pioneer lecturer of the series was the notable Prof. Nolue Emenanjo, who lectured on the topic, “Olu m Efula” (May my Language not be Lost). The second series entitled, “Chinwendu” (God is Life) was delivered by Mosignor Theophilus Okere in 1997; the third, “Onyegbule” (Thou shall not kill) was delivered by Prof. Edmund Ikenga Metu in 1998; the fourth, “Echi Di Ime, Taa Bu Gboo” (Tomorrow is Pregnant) was by late Prof. Chinua Chebe in 1999; while the fifth, “Ujunwa-Anuri Uwa Nile” (In honour of Jesus Christ, the saviour of the world) was delivered by the founder, His Grace Archbishop A.J.V. Obinna in the year 2000.
Other notable lecturers of Odenigbo Series are:
Prof. John Egbulefu – 2001
Prof. Gabriella I. Nwaozuzu – 2002
Most Rev. Prof. Godfrey Igwubuike Onah – 2003
Prof. Anaelechi Barnabas Chukwuezi – 2004
Prof. Victor Irokanulo Okereke – 2005.
Prof. Innocent Maduakolam Osuagwu – 2006
Prof. Dora Nkem Akunyili – 2007
Prof. Ihenacho Emereuwa – 2008
Rev. Fr. Prof. Ernest Munachiso Ezeogu – 2009
Prof. Ezinne Florence Anugwom – 2010
Msgr. Prof. Obiora Ike – 2011
His Grace Most Rev. Lucius I. Ugorji – 2012
Prof. Peter Ejiofo – 2013
Prof. Chinedu Nwajiuba – 2014
Rev. Fr. Prof. John Obilor – 2015
Prof. Barth Nnaji – 2016
His Lordship Most Rev John Okoye – 2017
Prof. Patricia Uloaku Okoye – 2018
Rev. Fr. Prof. Longinus Chinagorom – 2019
His Grace Most Rev. Dr. A.J.V. Obinna – 2020
Most Rev. Dr. Fortunatus Osinigbo Nwachukwu – 2021
Rev. Fr. Prof. Bede Uchechukwu Ukwuije – 2022
Prof. Obiajulu Emejulu – 2023
Tomorrow, this erudite Professor of Criminal Law shall join this long list of scholars in Igbo land as one of the Lecturers of the popular Odenigbo Lecture series.
