Nigeria’s education and business communities are set to honour eminent scholar, Otonti Nduka, as he marks his 100th birthday with a landmark two-day centenary celebration scheduled for May 8.
According to a statement issued on Monday, the event will hold at the auditorium of Rivers State University, drawing over 1,500 participants, including policymakers, vice-chancellors, academics, industry leaders, and students.
The centenary celebration will recognise Prof. Nduka’s decades-long contributions to education, moral philosophy, and nation-building. The distinguished scholar, a former President of the Nigeria Academy of Education, was also honoured as a Distinguished Professor of the Century by the National Universities Commission.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, is expected to serve as Special Guest of Honour, while Rivers State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, will host the event.
Chairman of the organising committee, Hilary Wordu, described the celebration as more than a birthday, noting that it represents “a national reckoning with the values that define our progress.”
Renowned economist and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu, will deliver the keynote address titled “Trends and Challenges in Upholding Values Education in Nigeria.” The lecture is expected to focus on the erosion of ethical standards amid globalisation and technological disruption, while advocating reforms that prioritise integrity and critical thinking.
As part of the programme, Chairman of Ramec Group, Grant Offor, will serve as Chief Launcher for the Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values Education Endowment Fund, which aims to raise N5 billion for scholarships, teacher training, and research initiatives in Nigerian universities.
READ ALSO: Academy, FCT Education Secretariat Unveil Body Scan AI
Also expected at the event is former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, who will share reflections from his career and experiences.
Prof. Nduka, an alumnus of the University of Ibadan and former academic at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, is widely credited with pioneering values-based education in post-colonial Africa. His works, including The Foundations of Social Order and Ethics in Education, have significantly influenced policy directions in integrating moral philosophy into academic curricula.
The celebration will commence with a national conference featuring panel sessions on “Reviving Values in a Digital Age” and “Ethical Leadership for National Development,” while the second day will showcase cultural performances, including music, dance, poetry, and a gala dinner.
Highlights of the event will include the unveiling of Prof. Nduka’s centenary portrait and the launch of a curated anthology on Nigerian educational philosophy.
Organisers noted that the event comes at a time when renewed attention is being placed on values education as a critical tool in addressing corruption, inequality, and governance challenges in Nigeria.