A Professor of Oral and Comparative Literature at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Apegba KER has advocated the need by relevant stakeholders in the nation building project to evolve some deliberate measures that would ensure adequate preservation and promotion of diverse cultural values and oral literature so as to prevent societies from shrinking into extinction.
The don made this known while presenting the 14th edition of the Institution’s Inaugural Lecture titled: “The Dynamics of Change – The Oral Artist and the Survival/Preservation of the Oral Form”, held at the main campus of the University.
He posited that most of things that used to hold societies together were being thrown away in the name of modernisation; stressing that unless urgent steps are taken to reinvent and accord old good cultural values and oral literature their rightful place the society was heading to doom.
Professor KER who is also the Dean, Faculty of Languages and Communication Studies of the University, pointed out that oral poetry had since in the times past played very significant role in building a better society.
The Inaugural Lecturer further underscored the relevance and impact of oral artists in entertaining, mobilising and educating the society in the participation of national development programmes.
He opined the need for introduction of Nigerian Cultural Studies in the country’s school curriculum at all levels as well as invitation of Oral artists to perform occasionally before students in order to keep traditions alive.
In his speech at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Muhammad Nasir Maiturare commended the choice of the Inaugural Lecture topic by the Lecturer as it was in tune with emerging challenges that are threatening the peaceful co-existence of diverse ethnic nationalities in the country.
He said that the presentation would no doubt promote harmonious relationship among various ethnic backgrounds in the country.
Professor Maiturare also applauded the Senate Committee on Seminars and Conferences for successfully planning the inaugural lecture series of the University.
The Vice-chancellor reaffirmed the Management’s readiness to support every intellectual effort that would make IBB University stand at a very competitive position with her peers the world over.
Earlier, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Seminars and Conferences of the University, Professor Victor Kolawole said Inaugural Lecture is one of fundamental academic traditions in the University where senior scholars showcase their intellectual research feats for the benefits of humanity.
He said IBB University was complying with the Keffi Declaration by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors in Nigeria and directive by the National Universities Commission on inaugural lectures.
Professor Kolawole appreciated the University Management for the support the Committee was receiving and enjoined other senior academic staff to work hard on research efforts in their respective areas of specialisation so that they could also one day showcase their research accomplishments before the university community.
The Registrar, Alhaji Musa Ango Abdullahi in a vote of thanks, applauded every staff of the University and all well wishers that contributed to the success of the occasion.
A certificate and a souvenir were presented to the Inaugural Lecturer by the Vice-Chancellor in recognition of his commendable presentation.
Other event that climaxed the programme was the presentation of a brand new specialised motor bike to Mallam Muazu Umar, a physically challenged student of Political Science Department of the University who performed excellently at a recent debate competition between IBB University and University of Lagos, with IBBUL winning the contest.
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