By Michael Ezenwata
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has honoured its former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku, with its fourth Jubilee Academic Lecture in recognition of his more than 29 years of service as a professor.
The lecture, held on Nov. 12, at the Zephaniah Madubuko Auditorium, Faculty of Social Sciences, UNIZIK, provided a platform for Ahaneku to reflect on his academic career, research contributions, international engagements and experience in university administration.
Ahaneku, a Professor of Chemical Pathology and Consultant Chemical Pathologist, delivered the lecture titled, “Traversing Two Centuries and Looking Beyond Laboratory Results: A Captivating Tale of the Longest Serving (29+) Professor in UNIZIK.”
In his lecture, he urged academics to embrace teamwork, self confidence, integrity and commitment in their professional pursuits.
He identified patience, hard work, thoroughness and confidence as essential qualities for academic growth and career advancement.
The former vice-chancellor also recounted his professional experiences and research engagements in Japan, China and the United States, highlighting lessons from his international exposure.
He emphasised the importance of translational research, urging academics to move beyond laboratory findings and publications to develop practical solutions to societal challenges.
Ahaneku also advocated the testing and certification of Nigerian made products to improve their quality, strengthen their export potential and enhance the international visibility of the country’s research and innovation efforts.
He further highlighted integrity, spirituality in professional practice and commitment to research as important attributes of an accomplished academic.
The professor acknowledged his colleagues in the academia, former and current university administrators, mentors, mentees and others who had contributed to his professional journey.
He also expressed appreciation to the people of Nsude in Enugu State for their role in his family life, particularly for giving him his wife, Prof. Gladys Ifesinachi Ahaneku, a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, UNIZIK.
In an interview, Prof. Gladys Ahaneku thanked guests and members of the university community for attending her husband’s lecture and wished them well in their endeavours.
The event featured the decoration of Ahaneku as the jubilarian by the university management, while his mentees presented an endowment award in recognition of his contributions to academic development and mentorship.
Dignitaries at the event included the Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie; his predecessor, Prof. Charles Esimone; and the Chairman, Board of Fellows, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharmacist Uchenna Uzoma Apakama, among others.
Michael Ezenwata is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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