Legal luminary and business mogul, Chief (Barr.) Success Obioma Akagburuonye, has urged all tiers of government to prioritise economic freedom and educational empowerment as core drivers of genuine national sovereignty.
Akagburuonye made the call while delivering the keynote address at the inaugural Nnamdi Azikiwe Memorial Lecture (NAML), held on November 14 at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The lecture, themed “The Nnamdi Azikiwe Political Philosophy: Lessons for Good Governance and Development,” examined the enduring relevance of Zik’s ideals to contemporary governance.
Tracing the life and legacy of the great Zik of Africa from his roots in Zungeru, Akagburuonye noted that Azikiwe’s journey “is not just history but a living blueprint for governance rooted in moral uprightness, national unity, and social justice.”
He stressed that Zik’s political philosophy embodies sustainable development, good governance, and visionary leadership — values that can only be realised by leaders who are honest, inclusive, and committed to the collective good.
“Sustainability and justice share an intimate relationship; a shift in one strengthens the other,” he said.
Akagburuonye highlighted Azikiwe’s emphasis on unity, local entrepreneurship, protection of emerging industries, and the pursuit of economic self-reliance. He added that Azikiwe believed leadership anchored on integrity, patriotism, and service could transform nations.
“As citizens, we must demand accountability. As leaders, we must emulate the virtues Zik exemplified — humility, fairness, and a vision for a united Nigeria,” he stated.
He maintained that Nigeria’s longstanding challenges — corruption, ethnic tensions, economic instability, and identity crises — might have been significantly reduced had the country adopted Zik’s political philosophy earlier. According to him, Azikiwe’s life offers guiding principles that remain vital for Nigeria’s future.
The Chief Host and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, represented by Prof. Anthony Attamah, commended the Faculty of Social Sciences for the initiative and expressed hope that the lecture would become a sustained intellectual tradition.
Chairman of the event and former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Nnia Nwodo, recalled that his father, Chief John Nwodo, played a significant role in helping Dr. Azikiwe establish the University of Nigeria.
Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Chidi Nzeadibe, announced that the NAML would henceforth be a biennial lecture designed to preserve Azikiwe’s legacy in national consciousness.
A new book on the history of the Faculty from 1960 to 2025, edited by Chidi Nzeadibe, Jeff Unaegbu, and Obiora Anichebe, was reviewed by Prof. Chukwuedozie Ajaero and formally presented to the public. Ajaero praised the editors for producing a meticulously detailed work.
The lecture attracted the wife of the late statesman, Prof. Emeritus Uche Azikiwe, alongside eminent scholars and distinguished guests, many of whom described the event as a long-awaited platform for re-examining the legacy of one of Africa’s greatest leaders.
