Professor in the Department of Political Science, Lagos State University (LASU), Sylvester Odion Akhaine, will on Thursday deliver the Fourth Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture in Lagos.

The lecture holding at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos has the theme, ‘The Media, INEC, Voters and Path to Credible Elections’.

Akhaine, a former human rights activist, will be remembered as one of those who fought for the return of democracy in Nigeria during the military era. He variously served as General Secretary of the Campaign for Democracy and the United Action for Democracy.

A holder of a PhD in Politics obtained from Royal Holloway, University of London in 2004, Akhaine is the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Centre for Constitutionalism and Demilitarisation, as well as editor of The Constitution, a journal of constitutional development.

A 2005 Stanford University fellow on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law, he is a contributing editor to the United Kingdom-based Review of African Political Economy and a visiting member of The Guardian editorial board.

Akhaine is the author of books such as “The Case of a Nursing Father” and “Our Colony and Another Woman of Substance,” as well as articles in learned journals.

A statement by the NGE yesterday, signed by Eze Anaba and Onuoha Ukeh, President and General Secretary respectively, said the Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture was instituted by the Guild in 2023 to honour the legacy of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the late iconic journalist, who was its pioneer President, former Lagos State Governor, and former Minister of Works.

The lecture brings together media leaders, public officials, and civil society to reflect on nation-building, governance, and the role of the press, describing it as “a fitting tribute to Alhaji Jakande’s legacy, which embodies dedication to journalism, governance, and service to Nigeria,” the Guld said.

The statement also said that former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, would serve as Chairman of the Lecture, with Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as Special Guest of Honour.

It also stated that newspaper proprietors, Managing Directors, Editors-in-Chief and civil society groups are expected at the lecture as well as students and lecturers of Mass Communication and Journalism from Caleb University, Ikorodu, Lagos; Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos; Yaba College of Technology, Lagos and Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Lagos.

The Guild said it invites university students to the lecture every year to “learn the value of service, excellence and dedication to journalism and public service as well as connect with practising journalists who could serve as their role models in the profession.”

The Jakande Memorial Lecture started in 2023, with a lecture delivered by Chief Felix Adenaike, Fellow of the NGE. In 2024, Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman of ThisDay and Arise News TV, spoke on ‘Rapid Changing Media Landscape: Survival Strategies’.

The third edition last year had the theme: ‘Journalism and the Challenge of Nation-Building in a Multi-Ethnic Society’ and was delivered by Bauchi State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Bala Mohammed.