From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Former Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku has called on President Bola Tinubu to release the detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, without further delay.
Maku who spoke in Anambra yesterday as a Guest of Honour during the 3rd Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu emorial lecture organized by Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, said the more the Nigerian government continues to detain the IPOB leader, the more tension will continue to escalate in the country.
He described the success of the Igbo entrepreneurial spirit as the success of the entire Nigeria and called on the Igbo people not to allow any frustration they encounter in Nigeria to lead them into perennial violence.
Maku noted that Nigeria is a historical accident that has come to stay and warned that the African continent will weep in case of any descent into ethnic fiefdoms in Nigeria.
Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka who delivered the Memorial Lecture with the theme “Harnessing the Power of Education for National Development: Lessons from the Life and Vision of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu” said Ojukwu symbolized a blend of strength and sophistication and a relentless pursuit of excellence. He said the university named after him should capture that very spirit, emerging as a centre of learning that commands respect and recognition, not just locally but on the world stage.
“This is not just an aspirational dream, this vision is entirely achievable with the right investments, strategic partnerships, and a clear direction,” he stated. Chidoka called for new thoughts and ideas on securing the eastern homeland and de-escalating the destructive violence around the communities and securing the space for meaningful development and attraction of talent and capital. Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Kate Omenugha said the personality of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu is of remarkable significance to the entire nation, Nigeria. She said the university will build an Ojukwu Hall of Fame where great men and women who contributed through endowments to build the university named after the great man –Ojukwu shall be immortalized.
Onenugha lauded Gov. Soludo’s footprints in the education sector in the state and disclosed that through his initiative, the university is being connected presently with uninterrupted Wi-Fi internet broadband.