A professor of Political Science, Professor Azeez Olusola Olaniyan, will next week deliver the 11th Inaugural lecture of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The lecture titled “Nigeria and the undying spirit of Separatism” will be delivered at the Faculty of Science Lecture Theatre at the university on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, by 2:00 pm.
It will be chaired by the vice-chancellor of the University, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, and will be graced by prominent staff members of the university.
According to Olaniyan, “Inaugural lecture is rooted in British academic tradition. In its pristine form, it is a tradition where academic colleagues will have the opportunity to listen to a newly made professor. The modality is that shortly after attaining that status, the new professor will give a talk to colleagues on key aspects or findings of his/her academic endeavours, or a reflection on a current societal problem for the purpose of enlightenment.
“The presentation will be done in such a simplified manner that people who are not in the same field as the professor will understand what he or she has come to say. It used to be strictly an academic exercise meant only for academic gatherings. In fact, such talks were given over a cup of tea or coffee at the faculty club. However, over the years, inaugural lectures, in the Nigerian context, have undergone a cultural transformation and have now become the academic equivalents of ‘Iwuye’ (Chieftaincy conferment). Of course, an inaugural lecture is not an Iwuye and such social additions should not in any way diminish the rich academic tonic it is designed to offer,” Olaniyan added.
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