In continuation of its preparations for the forthcoming commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the publication of Flora Nwapa’s book, Efuru, the National Organising Committee (NOC) of the Efuru@50 paid a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja on Tuesday, September 27, 2016. Leading the delegation was the NOC’s Chairman, Dr Wale Okediran. Other members of the committee on the visit were the Chairman, Flora Nwapa Foundation, Barrister Uzoma Nwakuche, who is also the son of Flora Nwapa, Chinyere Obi-Obasi, Ikeogu Oke, Salamatu Sule, and the committee’s secretary, Glory Obasi.
On arrival at the University of Abuja campus, the NOC members were received by the Dean, Faculty of Arts, Professor Effiok Uwatt, as well as the Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Professor Vicky Sylvester, both of whom accompanied the team to the Vice Chancellor’s office.
Other members of the University of Abuja staff present at the meeting were the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. Abu Mallam; Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Dr Musa Olaoye; Dr Daniel Omatsola and Safiya Yero.
In his remarks at the meeting, Wale Okediran explained that Flora Nwapa was being celebrated in view of her position as the first African woman published writer. This was why the Flora Nwapa’s Foundation has decided to organise a five city celebrations between November 29 and December 11, 2016. The visit, therefore, was to intimate the VC of the Abuja leg of the celebrations, which has been fixed for December 3 and December 6, 2016. While a children’s carnival will take place at the NTA’s Arena on Saturday, Dec 3, a symposium which will attract local and international scholars will take place in the university on Tuesday, December 6, 2016. Dr Okediran, therefore, sought the university’s support towards the success of the event.
In his response, the VC thanked the committee for choosing the university as one of the conference venues. While acknowledging the significant contributions which the Humanities have made to the nation at large, he hoped that the Sciences would also do the same in the nearest future. He promised that the university would do all it could towards the success of the forthcoming events.
In closing, the Dean of Arts, Prof. Uwatt thanked the VC for the promises and promised that the Faculty of Arts would do everything to make sure that the event is a huge success.