From John Silas
Legal luminary and business mogul, Chief Success Obioma Akagburuonye, has challenged various strata of government to focus more on projects that will ensure economic freedom and educational empowerment in order to achieve true sovereignty.
Akagburuonye made the call as guest speaker at the inaugural Nnamdi Azikiwe Memorial Lecture (NAML) at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, with the theme: “The Nnamdi Azikiwe Political Philosophy: Lessons for Good Governance and Development.”
Chronicling the life and time of the Great Zik of Africa, starting from his birth place in Zungeru, Akagburuonye noted that “Azikiwe’s life is not just history but a living blueprint for governance and development rooted in moral uprightness, national unity and social justice.”
According to him, Zik’s philosophy is laced with sustainable development and good governance, which can only be driven by leaders who are honest, inclusive and committed to the collective good.
“Sustainability and justice have an intimate relationship such that a change in one accentuates or reinforces the other,” he stated.
He highlighted some of Zik’s leadership approach to issues concerning unity and development programmes that encouraged local entrepreneurship, protection of nascent industries and promotion of economic self-reliance, emphasizing that “Azikiwe’s philosophy is that leadership rooted in integrity, patriotism and service can transform nations.
“As citizens, we are responsible for demanding accountability. As leaders, we must emulate the virtues he exemplified – serving with humility, fairness, and a vision for united Nigeria.”
Akagburuonye argued that if Nigeria had adopted Zik’s political philosophy, “the current landscape – marked by corruption, ethnic tensions, economic challenges and questions of national identity – would have been averted.
“From his lifetime of service, several core principles emerged – principles that must guide Nigeria today.”
Also, chairman of the event and former President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Nnia Nwodo, disclosed that his father, John Nwodo, helped Azikiwe in founding the University of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Dean of the Faculty of the Social Sciences, Prof. Chidi Nzeadibe, stated that the NAML would be a biennial lecture that would sustain the history of Nnamdi Azikiwe in the consciousness of the public.
The book on the faculty, detailing its history from 1960 to 2025 and edited by Prof. Nzeadibe, Jeff Unaegbu and Obiora Anichebe was reviewed by Prof. Chukwuedozie Ajaero and presented to the public. He praised the editors for an intensively detailed work.
The Chief Host and the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, who was represented by the Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Anthony Attamah, praised the Faculty of Social Sciences for organising the lecture, expressing the hope that it would be sustained.
In attendance were the wife of Nnamdi Azikiwe, Professor Emeritus Uche Azikiwe, alongside prominent scholars and oother distinguished dignitaries, some of whom described the lecture as a long-awaited platform for re-examining the legacy of one of Africa’s greatest statesmen.
