FEATURED NEWS
HDS Fetes Alagoa, Institutes Annual Legacy Lecture Series
- Details
- Published: 07 July 2021
By Sam Kpenu
A former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands and Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja, Dr Godknows Igali, has described Emeritus Professor Ebiegberi Alagoa as a scholar whose signature of academic excellence has continued to resonate, even long after his graceful retirement from formal academic activities of the University of Port Harcourt.
Dr Igali made the remark while delivering a Lecture on History, Historical Hypothesis and the Historian at the 88th birthday celebration and the maiden edition of the Legacy Lecture Series in honour of Emeritus Professor Alagoa, on Thursday, May 25, 2021 at the Ebitimi Banigo Auditorium. Igali said great insight and passion for high impact research have defined Emeritus Professor Alagoa's long walk in the academy in Nigeria and around the world. “Despite the shameful bias and unfairness that Eurocentric critics levelled against his approach in reconstructing and restoring African history, Alagoa's love for reasoning and curiosity continue to illuminate his path in and outside the academy. Indeed, he has been an awesome Ambassador of retelling the past from the academic and traditional perspectives,” he stated. Dr Igali said “none will controvert the view that the types of Professor Alagoa don't come too frequently in the land of men. How can one man combine all the best of humanly virtues as so well lined out by the Lord Himself in the Beatitudes of the sermon on the Mount.” former Nigerian Ambassador to the A Netherlands and Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja, Dr Godknows Igali, has described Emeritus Professor Ebiegberi Alagoa as a scholar whose signature of academic excellence has continued to resonate, even long after his graceful retirement from formal academic activities of the University of Port Harcourt. Declaring the programme open, the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Stephen Okodudu, said the programme was organised to celebrate the life and times of Emeritus Professor Alagoa, who he described a s a m a n o f i m p e c c a b l e character, renowned ethnographer, community leader and an eclectic scholar on an elevated scale. S p e a k i n g a s Chairman of the occasion, Emeritus Professor Nimi Briggs who is also the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State, said the University would continue to benefit from the legacies of Alagoa. He described Alagoa as a Grand Master in historical scholarship and a distinguished scholar of the finest tradition. “Alagoa is a consummate administrator and shrewd philosopher, Alagoa is a teacher's teacher and a dependable leader who mentored younger academics in search of worthy role models,” Briggs declared.
Speaking earlier, the Acting Head of the Department of History and Diplomatic Studies, Dr Charles Asuk, said Emeritus Professor Alagoa has demonstrated his mettle as one of the greatest academic mentors in Nigeria as a professor of professors. He disclosed that the primary goal of the gathering was to celebrate achievements and excellence, and to tell the present generation of scholars what virtue there is in mentorship and hard work. “As a Department, it is important that we honour our founding father. It is against this backdrop that the Department decided to institutionalise a Legacy Lecture thseries as an annual academic ritual to be held on 14 April of every year in honour of Emeritus Professor E. J. Alagoa,” Asuk stated.
In his response, Emeritus Professor Alagoa, said he was highly elated with the love and solidarity shown thhim through the celebration of his 88 birthday and the institutionalisation of a Legacy Lecture series in his honour. He called on all men of goodwill to support the dreams of the founding fathers of the University to ensure that high impact research, training and academic mentorship of mid-career scholars compete with their counterparts in other parts of the world. Emeritus Professor Alagoa expressed satisfaction with the research output of some younger academics in the University, which according to him had gone a long way to show that there is hope for the future. The well-attended occasion attracted dignitaries from all walks of life including the Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty King Dandison Jaja and King Edmund Dakoru of Nembe kigdom in Bayelsa State.
