Obi Of Onitsha Performs Foundation Stone Laying Of The Institute Of Zik Lecture Series

By Ikenna Nwokedi, PhD

Obi of Onitsha and Chairman, Traditional Rulers Council Anambra State, HRM, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe on Tuesday performed the foundation stone laying of the Senator Ben Ndi Obi Institute for Legislative Studies and Zik Lecture Series.

The historic event was part of the programme of the 9th and 10th Combined Zik Lecture Series Anniversary celebration usually held on 16th November every year as part of activities to mark the birthday and legacies of the greatest Pan-Africanist and an elder stateman, Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

In his speech at the site of the project located close to the University’s Beautiful Gate, the Benefactor, Senator Ben Ndi Obi stated that after 10 years of the lecture in honour of Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, it is time to do a legacy project in the form of the Institute of Ziks Lecture Series. Senator Obi disclosed that the project is a three-storey building structure that will be the permanent site for the lecture series which would be completed before the end of the tenure of UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, FAS. Obi thanked Prof. Esimone for providing the strategic location where the Citadel will be located and assured that work will start almost immediately.

Performing the foundation stone laying of the project, the Obi of Onitsha, HRM Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe thanked God for the gift of ZIK to the nation and Africa by extension. Achebe pointed out that the celebration is apt as seen in other climes who celebrate their true nationalists. He said that ZIK has left a great legacy for today’s leaders, he also eulogized the effort and intuition of Senator Ben Ndi Obi in celebrating the life and times of the Great ZIK of Africa through the annual Ziks Lecture Series.

Also present at the occasion was the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency Dr. Kayode Fayemi; the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Uche Ekwunife (IYOM), representatives of the Governors of Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States, CEO of United Nigeria Airlines and ZLP Candidate of the Anambra Gubernatorial Election, High Chief Dr. Obiora Okonkwo (Dikeora), members of the University Management and the 9th Governing Council of the institution.