By Ikemefuna Ikem
Less than four days to the 2026 summit of the Association of Nsukka Professors, ANP, Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo will on Tuesday, 28 April 2026 deliver this year's lecture series.
In a press release by the Association, the lecture series will be held at Princess Alexandria Auditorium Hall, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The said lecture which is the 6th Adada Lecture Series of ANP will be attended by all the professors of Nsukka cultural zone extraction, as well as prominent national figures.
Prof Paulinus Ugwoke, President of ANP disclosed this in Nsukka on Friday while briefing newsmen on the forthcoming Adada lecture.
Also present during the press briefing were Prof Greg Odo and Prof Chris Agbedo, Chairman and Secretary respectively of the 2026 Lecture Planning Committee of the association.
Our reporter gathered that the theme of the lecture is entitled "Intellectualism and the Development of a People: Mainstreaming the Igbo Extraction within the Context of Nigeria’s Federal Governance System."
According to Prof. Ugwoke, the Adada lecture series was established as a platform to mobilise intellectual capital toward addressing the developmental and governance challenges confronting the Nsukka cultural zone and the wider Igbo nation.
The ANP president said that Prof Soludo was chosen as the guest lecturer because his career embodies the intersection of scholarship and public service.
"Gov.Soludo, a distinguished Economist, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and former Lecturer in UNN as the guest lecturer has a career that embodies the intersection of scholarship and public service," he said.
According to the President of ANP, Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State would be the Special Guest of Honour, Sen Chukwuka Utazi who represented Enugu North Senatorial District in the 9th Senate would be the Keynote Speaker, Sen. Orji-Uzor Kalu representing Abia North Senatorial District would be the Special Guest,
Ugwuoke also disclosed that, the occasion would be chaired by Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla (Rtd.), the immediate past Chief of Naval Staff, HRM Igwe Samuel Asadu, Chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers would be the Royal Father of the day.
While Prof Simon Ortuanya, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN would be the Chief Host.
The don noted that since its inception, the Adada Lecture Series has featured distinguished speakers whose contributions have enriched national discourse. Previous guest lecturers include the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka, Father Bishop (Prof) Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, who delivered the maiden lecture in 2011; renowned scholar and public intellectual, Prof Athanasius Attah; former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi; and the immediate past Governor of Enugu State, Hon (Dr.) Lawrence Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
"These lectures have helped establish the Adada Lecture Series as a credible forum where scholars, policymakers, traditional leaders, and development stakeholders engage in thoughtful reflection on issues affecting the Nsukka cultural area and Nigeria at large," he said.
Ugwuoke explained further that this year's event would further strengthen intellectual engagement with governance and development issues while highlighting the contributions and aspirations of the Nsukka cultural zone within Nigeria’s evolving federal system.
"The core objective of ANP is to contribute to the peace, progress, and development of the Nsukka cultural zone as members are drawn from the seven local government areas that make up the zone, namely; Isi-Uzo, Udenu, Igbo-Eze North, Igbo-Eze South, Nsukka, Igbo-Etiti, and Uzo-Uwani
"ANP presently has over 200 professors of Nsukka cultural zone extraction across diverse disciplines in universities in Nigeria and in diaspora," he said.
Ugwuoke, who is also the former Director of Energy Centre in UNN said the association seeks to harness scholarship, research, and public policy engagement in promoting sustainable development within the region.
"As it focuses on the role of intellectual leadership, knowledge-driven governance, and inclusive federal structures in advancing the development aspirations of communities within Nigeria’s democratic system.
"Particular attention will be paid to the historical and contemporary contributions of the Waawa people and the need to strengthen their participation within the country’s federal framework," he said
Ugwoke however, expressed concern that Nsukka Province had remained the only province that had not been upgraded to a state in the country and urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to approve the creation of Adada State in the interest of equity and justice
"Nsukka cultural zone, despite having been a distinct administrative province till now has not been upgraded to a state, making the area the oldest pending state creation demand in Nigeria," Ugwuoke lamented.
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