IKENNE, OGUN STATE – Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has been named Chairman of the 2026 Obafemi Awolowo Memorial Lecture. The event, which commemorates the posthumous birthday of the late sage, is set to take place on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the historic Efunyela Hall within the Awolowo residence in Ikenne.
This year’s intellectual gathering centers on the theme “Politics as Future-Making: Awolowo and Leadership as Theory of Action.” The keynote address will be delivered by Professor Wale Adebanwi, a distinguished scholar and the Presidential Penn Compact Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
A Legacy of Purposeful Leadership
In a statement released by the Executive Director of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, Ambassador Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, the Foundation noted that Chief Anyaoku was selected for his “lifelong commitment to principled public service,” a trait that mirrors the core values of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
The guest lecturer, Professor Adebanwi—who is also a Guggenheim Fellow and an expert on African social mobilization—is expected to bridge the gap between Awolowo’s historical philosophies and modern-day governance. His address will specifically look at how the “sage’s” ideas can solve current challenges in statecraft and national development across Africa.
Significance of the Date
The lecture coincides with the 117th posthumous birthday of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the first Premier of the Western Region, who was born on March 6, 1909. Known for his disciplined approach to leadership and social transformation, Awolowo remains a central figure in Nigerian political discourse nearly four decades after his passing in 1987.
The 2026 edition aims to provide a platform for:
- Interrogating the enduring relevance of “Awoism” in the 21st century.
- Addressing the urgent need for ethical leadership in contemporary African politics.
- Fostering dialogue among scholars, diplomats, and the public on democratic responsibility.
The Obafemi Awolowo Memorial Lecture remains the flagship program of the Foundation, continuing its mission to preserve the intellectual and policy legacy of one of Nigeria’s most influential founding fathers
Do you want to advertise with us?
Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event?
Contact us on WhatsApp +2348033617468, +234 816 612 1513, +234 703 010 7174
or Email: validviewnetwork@gmail.com
CLICK TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP
