Prof Ikoku Memorial Lecture Debuts

The maiden edition of the Professor Chimere Ikoku Memorial Lecture hosted by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) will hold on October 12, 2016 at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium, UNN.

According to information released by the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, signed by Professor P.O Ukoha, Chairman, planning Committee and immediate past Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences of the University, the maiden Lecture is titled ‘Chimere Ikoku, Chemist, Scholar and Statesman’ was intended to highlight the life and contributions of the late Professor of Chemistry and two-time Vice Chancellor of UNN.

The Lecture would focus on his contributions towards scholarship, human and national development, and African liberation struggles. The lecture will be delivered by Professor A.A. Zuru, the Vice Chancellor of Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto.

It would be recalled that late Prof Ikoku, son of the foremost educationist and founder of Nigerian Union of Teachers, late Dr. Alvan Ikoku, served as the UNN VC from 1985 to 1992. He was also the first indigenous Head of the Department of Chemistry in the school, as well as the first VC of the Federal University of Technology, Abeokuta in 1982.

Late Ikoku was Deputy Vice Chancellor of Usman Dan Fodio University between 1978 and 82, and aside serving as a member of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), was also among scientists who set up the Nigerian Council for Science and Technology back in 1973.

He was also Vice Chairman, National Committee on South Africa (NACSA), 1976; Chairman, National Committee on Apartheid (NACAP), 1979 and President of the Pan African Students Organisation in the Americas (PASO), 1953 among others.

The late Professor contributed immensely to science education, African liberation & national development.