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By Beifoh Osewele
Frontline Nigerian professionals, including legendary Nollywood actress, director and businesswoman, Joke Silva; Executive Head, Corporate Affairs, MultiChoice Nigeria, Caroline Oghuma; Market Development Consultant, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Christiana Makanju; Professor of Digital Humanities, Digital Cultures and Discourse Studies, Tunde Ope-Davies; Guinness World Record holder for the largest gathering of teachers, Oluwaseyi Anifowose; and President of the Faculty of Arts Students Association, Abdullahi Oloyede, have been confirmed as discussants at the maiden reunion lecture of the University of Lagos Department of English Alumni (UDEA).
The lecture will be held on Friday, July 17, at the Afe Babalola Hall, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.
The guest lecturer is Dr. Jekwu Ozoemene, Group Executive at The Alternative Bank. He will speak on: “Unlocking Global Opportunities with English Studies: The Akoka Legacy.”
An alumnus of the Department of English, UNILAG, Ozoemene has extensive experience spanning various fields and sectors including banking and finance, research, economic policy and consulting.
The landmark two-day reunion, themed, “Celebrating Decades of Words, Wisdom and Legacy,” will culminate in a dinner at the 81 Division Officers’ Mess, opposite Onikan Stadium, Lagos, from 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 18.
Recognition awards will be given to 11 retired professors of the department namely: Theo Vincent, Ebun Clark, Funso Akere, ABK Dadzie, FBO Akporobaro, Segun Awonusi, Karen Awonusi, Adeyemi Daramola, Akachi Ezeigbo, AE Eruvbetine and Oko Okoro.
The event will bring together generations of graduates of the University of Lagos Department of English for the first time in more than six decades and provide a rare opportunity for alumni across different generations to reconnect, celebrate their achievements, honour distinguished members and foster collaborations that will strengthen the association in the years ahead.
More than 300 alumni have already registered to attend the opening lecture.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, is the Chief Host, while the Head of the Department of English, Prof. Austin Uzoma Nwagbara, and the President of UDEA, Dr. Akamo Princewill, are host and co-host, respectively.
The event is designed to reconnect alumni, celebrate the department’s rich heritage, strengthen professional and social networks, and launch sustainable initiatives to support the continued growth and development of the Department of English.
“Beyond reconnecting alumni, the reunion represents the beginning of a renewed commitment to giving back to the Department of English,” Dr. Akamo said.
