By Emmanuel Akinwale
The very much anticipated Prize Giving Day of Professor Peter Ekeh’s essay competition took place on Friday, 16th February 2024. The event piqued many students’ curiosity and kicked off with the National Anthem, followed by the school anthem.
In due course, the Guest Speaker, Professor Eghosa Osaghae took his seat on the noble podium of the Faculty of the Social Sciences. He was flanked to his right by Dr Idachaba and the Sub-dean, Dr Olaniyan who took the responsibility of replacing the Dean of the Faculty of the Social Sciences who was absent and flanked by Prof. Eghosa Osaghae’s left, Prof. Irene Pogoson, the Host of the event who also doubles as the HOD of the Department of Political Science and Dr Idowu Johnson, a distinguishable lecturer of the Department of Political Science.
The HOD started with an opening remark crediting the Late Prof. Peter Palmer Ekeh whilst also venerating Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, the Guest Speaker.
Also, Dr Olaniyan on behalf of the Dean showered encomiums on Prof Osagahe as well as crediting the innovation for the establishment of such an intellectual contest as he perceived it as the sanctuary wherein upcoming academics and writers can express the strength they wield with the pen
In due course, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae graced the lectern by establishing the background of his relationship with Prof. Peter Ekeh and his indelible impact on his academic career path. Prof. Osaghae titled his glorious speech, “Academic Discipleship”. He admonished students to imbue the act of humility in relating with lecturers as they wield the power to pave for them, the path of opportunities.
Subsequently, a spoken word artist from the Department of Sociology proffered a form of comic relief to the audience to ease the tension building up ahead of the announcement of the awardees.
Also, an award of recognition was awarded to eminent lecturers like; Dr Idowu Johnson as well as Dr Stephen Lafenwa. In the same vein, Mr Michael Akintunde, an alumnus of the Department who served as a member of the panel of judges was also duly recognised.
Eventually, the event reached its climax as the announcement for the awardees was set to be made. The awardees go thus:
The award for the Second-runner up goes to Ololade Adisa Mujeeb, a 400-level student of the Department of Sociology
The award for the First-runner up goes to Ogunbunmi Boluwatife Oladeji, a 300-level student of the Department of Political Science
The winner of the essay competition is Ayomide Emmanuel Akinwale, a 200-level student of the Department of Political Science.
Other eminent academics present at the event were: Prof. Remi Aiyede, Prof. Yagboyaju, Dr Babatunde Oyekanmi and Dr Godwin.
