By: Chidiebere Akalawu
Prof Ngozi Egbuna International Centre for Regional Integration and Trade Research (ICRITR) on Friday 5th April, 2024, had the first edition of it’s Inaugural Lecture Series at ASUU NAU secretariat with the theme: Unlocking Africa Trade for Shared Prosperity through the AFCFTA Challenges, prospect and opportunities.
The Vice Chancellor Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone, FAS ably represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof Joseph Ikechebelu while declaring the occasion open, assured that the centre will help to redefine trade in Africa and take the concept of Igbaboyi to a digital level. He therefore maintained that Africa must be globally integrated in the global trade which is the purpose of the Centre.
Prof Nzogi Egbuna, Director ICRITR, NAU, in her address opined that the Lecture would proffer solution towards sustainable development in Africa. According to her, academic research, holds the key to unlock development in Africa.
Prof Eric Ofoegbu who chaired the occasion in his remarks expressed dismay over the current trend of economic instability in Africa and called on government at all levels to embrace the opportunity the centre provides to remedy the situation.
Mrs Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of AFREXIMBANK and the maiden Inaugural Lecturer in her speech, called on Africans to join hands in making the African market a global market. She insisted that we must produce what we need and consume what we produce if we must move our economy forward. Mrs Awani therefore called for unity and collaboration among the African nations in moving Africa forward.
Also present at the occasion were, Prof Frank Collins Okafor, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof Uche Collins Nwogwugwu, Director International Linkages and Collaboration, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Prof Ifeoma Dunu, Director Unizik FM, Dr Uche Ekwugha deputy director ICRITR, NAU and many others.
Highlights of the occasion were award presentation to the guest speaker Mrs Kanayo Awani who came from Cairo, Egypt to deliver the Lecture and to the Vice Chancellor Nnamdi Azikiwe University Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone, FAS for his constant support to the Centre. Cultural dance by Africana International troupe among many others.
