BY SAM OTUONYE
The university of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) is set to go agog on Friday November 14, 2025, with the arrival of distinguished men and women from across Nigeria as Barr. Success Obioma Akagburuonye delivers the maiden memorial lecture of the great Zik of Africa, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.
The auspicious event, organized by the Faculty of the Social Sciences, according to a statement, is the first ever Nnamdi Azikiwe Memorial Lecture, holding under the distinguished Chairmanship of Chief Nnia Nwodo (Ike Ukehe), former President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide, with Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, Vice Chancellor, Enugu State University of Technology and Prof. Malachy Okwueze, former Vice Chancellor, Coal City University, as guests of honour.
The wife of the Sage, Emeritus Professor Uche Azikiwe, will be the mother of the event, as Prof. Simon Ortuanya, Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Prof. Chidi Nzeadibe, Dean, Faculty of the Social Sciences, are Chief Host and Host, respectively.
A book, ‘Heart of the Den’, the first ever history book of the Faculty from 1960 to 2025 edited by Chidi Nzeadibe, Jeff Unaegbu and Obiora Anichebe will also be presented.
The lecture, entitled ‘The Azikiwe Philosophy: Lessons for Good Governance and Development’, would dissect Azikiwe’s torturous journey in precolonial, colonial, and post colonial Nigeria, and indeed, Africa, and the lessons therefrom to serve as a template for good governance and development, at present and for the future.
Akagburuonye, an accomplished entrepreneur, real estate icon, legal luminary, politician, and philanthropist of note, is expected to bring his indepth of knowledge and exposure to bear on the twin pillars (good governance and development) upon which all successful economies stand.
The theme of the lecture is apt, particularly, at a time in Nigeria when good governance and development have continued to trail the front burner of national discourse, seeking solutions from true and patriotic Citizens who understand what ought to be done.
Barr. Akagburuonye, by no measure of doubt, is one of those few Nigerians, who can speak to the subject and also draw the architecture for practical implementation, given his local and international pedigree.
Dr Azikiwe was a Pan-African, nationalist, and political leader, who fought for the independence of Nigeria with avowed patriotism and uncommon vigour. He is referred to as the best politician in Nigeria’s history, because of his belief in good governance and socio-economic development. He demonstrated same in his political leadership as party chieftain and first President of Nigeria.
No wonder, Nigeria’s foremost and reputable institution, the UNN, searched out Success Akagburuonye, a like-mind of Azikiwe, for the herculean job of delivering the maiden lecture, as it is often said, that first cut is the deepest.
Akagburuonye is the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Praco Int’l Ltd, a leading real estate firm in Nigeria. He is the Founder of Hope Rising for Imolites, a socio-political and welfare group.
He is the CEO of Akaraugo Micro-finance bank, Peace Be Still Hotel, among others. He is bestowed with the chieftaincy title of ‘Akaraugo Mbaise’, by his clan, and Ambassador of God’s Kingdom by the Assemblies of God Church.
As a philanthropist, Chief Akagburuonye has lifted the poor, awarded scholarships, health care, rural electrification, pipe borne water, and business capital, among others.
An unrepentant kingdom investor, Akagburuonye, who owes his wealth and wellbeing to God’s Grace, has invested generously in the advancement of God’s Kingdom, building churches and donating for evangelical, apostolic and eclisiastic projects, across the orthodox and pentecostal. A member of the Assemblies of God Church, he built the ‘Noah’s Ark’, the first-of-its-kind’ church auditorium, designed after the Biblical Noah’s Ark’, for his home church.
He is married to Dr Cecilia Akonjie Obioma Amuchie, with children and grandchildren.
