Restore intellectual integrity of varsities, don urges academics

Professor of African Studies, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, United States, Tanure Ojaide, has challenged Nigerian academics to restore the intellectual integrity of the country’s academic institutions.

Speaking at the memorial lecture and book presentation in honour of late Prof. Unionmwan Joseph Edebiri, hosted by the Faculty of Arts of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), in partnership with the Edebiri family, Ojaide urged intellectuals to prioritise their roles as agents of progress.

In his lecture titled: “The intellectual and society: The nature, role, and importance of humanities education in Nigeria,” Ojaide reflected on the essential role of intellectuals, lamenting the current lack of bold intellectual voices in Nigeria.

He also called for an end to ethnic and religious biases within universities, which he described as a major hindrance to national development.
“Universities are plagued by sectionalism and favouritism, reflecting the divisions in the larger society. This must be addressed for academia to play its role in fostering unity,” he stated.

The university teacher also challenged Nigerian academics to use their expertise in addressing pressing national issues. He concluded his lecture with a resounding call on academics to reclaim their role as the moral compass of the society by addressing systemic corruption, fostering diversity, and driving innovation,

He praised Edebiri’s efforts in promoting diversity within academic institutions, describing him as a seasoned scholar who dedicated his life to championing equity, diversity, and intellectualism.

The event spotlighted two of Edebiri’s scholarly contributions “Le Langue Français et la Littérature Africaine Francophone au Nigeria,” and “Literary and Translation Studies in Africa,” which were both published in 2023, and marked the zenith of an illustrious academic career that spanned five decades.

It featured a review of the two seminal works, the first, written in French, was reviewed by Prof Remi Sonaiya, while the second was reviewed by Prof. Abiola Ajayi, who represented the Director of the Nigeria French Language Village, Prof. Lateef Ayeleru.

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Major-General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd) and renowned Chemical Engineering teacher, Professor Ayo Ogunye, described Edebiri as a brilliant scholar and a go-getter, whose contributions to academia remain unmatched. 

The Chairman of the occasion, Oluwole Coker, also described the late scholar as “a rare beacon of intellectual brilliance, whose works will resonate through generations.Uyi, son of the late academic, paid a heartfelt tribute to his father for five decades of dedicated service to education and scholarship.

He said: “My father taught for 50 years, raised four generations of professors, and left an indelible mark on countless lives. As a prolific scholar, he spent his last days compiling two books that encapsulate his lifetime of academic work.

“Even at the age of 81, with the last strength he had, my father put pen to paper to complete two books. These volumes contain articles he wrote over five decades, many of which were published in leading journals that may not exist today,” Uyi stated.

Mrs. Efe Farinre, also a family member, described her father as an enduring source of inspiration and guidance. Farinre also announced the inauguration of the Prof. Unionmwan Edebiri Prize for Best Student in Francophone Literature by the family. The prize, which honours Prof. Edebiri’s dedication to mentoring young scholars, was presented to Miss Motunrayo Adesibikan, a student of UNILAG.