By Elizabeth Osayande

Globally acclaimed historian and professor at the University of Texas at Austin, Prof. Toyin Falola, is set to deliver an inaugural memorial lecture in honour of the late renowned scholar and public intellectual, Prof. Ayo Olukotun. The event will be hosted by Lead City University in Ibadan.

Prof. Olukotun, an activist, public intellectual, erudite scholar, accomplished journalist, professor of Political Science, and dedicated columnist for The PUNCH, passed away on January 4, 2023, at the age of 69.

The memorial lecture is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, and will take place at Adeline Hall on the university’s premises, starting at 10:30 a.m.

Speaking ahead of the lecture, titled “Ayo Olukotun and the Nigerian Nation,” guest lecturer Prof. Falola remarked, “Ayo Olukotun was the voice of our nation. He repeatedly warned Nigerian leaders and citizens through his writing, urging the nation to awaken.

“The symposium aims to reflect on Olukotun’s intellectual contributions and their impact on nation-building,” Falola reiterated.

According to the Vice-Chancellor of Lead City University, Prof. Kabiru Adeyemo, the lecture serves to immortalise the legacy of Prof. Olukotun, whose works significantly shaped discussions on governance, media, and national development in Nigeria.

“Prof. Ayo Olukotun was a towering intellectual whose writings and contributions constantly challenged leadership and society to strive for improvement. This memorial lecture is not only meant to honor his memory but also to inspire a new generation of scholars to follow in his footsteps,” Adeyemo stated.

The Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, a former senator and seasoned public servant, commended Lead City University for hosting the event, describing Olukotun as “a scholar who combined academic brilliance with practical engagement in national discourse.”

The Registrar of Lead City University, Dr. Ayebola Ayeni, emphasized the university’s commitment to intellectual excellence, noting that “the choice of Prof. Toyin Falola as guest lecturer reflects the high academic standards upheld by the university.”

Dr. Igho Fayomi, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, encouraged both students and the general public to attend in person or join via Zoom, stating, “This lecture is a valuable opportunity to reflect on the life of a man who left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s intellectual and political landscape.”