Awka, Nigeria- A recent lecture at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, underscored the critical role of cultural diplomacy in fostering national development and international partnerships. The biennial Emeritus Professor Pita Ejiofor Lecture, organized by the university’s Faculty of Management Sciences, featured a keynote address titled “Cultural Diplomacy: Paving the Way for National Development.”
The Nigerian Ambassador to Burundi, Elijah Onyeagba, delivered the thought-provoking address. Referencing Nigeria’s vast network of 109 diplomatic missions worldwide, Ambassador Onyeagba emphasized the power of cultural diplomacy in building bridges between nations. He elaborated on its potential to cultivate mutual understanding, strengthen economic ties, build a positive international image for Nigeria, and even collaboratively address global challenges.
Ambassador Onyeagba’s message resonated with the audience, which included members of the university’s academic community, diplomats, representatives from traditional institutions, and students. The lecture further served as a tribute to the enduring legacy of Emeritus Professor Pita Ejiofor.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Charles Esimone, declared the event open and highlighted the lecture series’ establishment in 2016. He credited Professor Ejiofor with launching the university’s trajectory of infrastructural development, upon which it continues to thrive.
Professor Esimone’s remarks underscored the importance of not only celebrating cultural exchange but also recognizing the contributions of figures like Professor Ejiofor, who championed progress within Nigeria’s educational landscape.
Guests who spoke during the event included a former senator from Anambra State, Uche Ekwunife, and the Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences at the university, Prof. Pius Okoye.
The lectures sparked lively discussions among attendees, as speakers emphasized the need to uphold the culture of Igbo south-east Nigeria and the growing recognition of cultural diplomacy as a vital tool for national development in an increasingly interconnected world.
