Festivals Define Identity Unity and Development …as Third FEDPOLYNEK Inaugural Lecture Blends Scholarship with Cultural Spectacle

Federal Polytechnic Nekede on Tuesday hosted its Third Inaugural Lecture in a vibrant fusion of scholarship and culture, as academia, tradition and performance converged at the institution’s 1,000-capacity auditorium.

The lecture, titled “Value of Festivals,” was delivered by Dr. Chikezie Okoronkwo, FNIVS, RSV, who examined festivals as powerful instruments of identity formation, cultural preservation, social cohesion and economic development.

Declaring the lecture open, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Basilia Igbokwe, described inaugural lectures as the “pinnacle of academic scholarship,” noting that they provide scholars a platform to present years of research and professional experience.

“Inaugural lectures represent a vital academic tradition through which knowledge is shared, refined and projected to society,” she said.

Dr. Igbokwe emphasized that festivals remain central to cultural continuity, tourism development and national unity, urging institutions to continue promoting intellectual engagement that reflects societal realities.

Delivering the lecture, Dr. Okoronkwo defined festivals as expressions of communal identity and shared heritage, stressing that they embody the “oneness of body and soul in the manifestation of love and understanding.”

He explained that festivals go beyond celebration, serving as structured platforms for storytelling, cultural transmission and collective memory.

Citing events such as the Calabar Carnival, Ojude Oba Festival, Ake Book Festival and international jazz festivals, he noted that festivals contribute significantly to tourism, education, creativity and economic growth.

“Festivals are intrinsic aspects of the culture of a people and play pivotal roles in enhancing oneness and brotherhood,” he said.

Earlier, Chairman of the Inaugural and Public Lecture Series Committee, Dr. Anayo Uhiara, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to institutionalising a sustainable culture of academic lectures.

He described the series as a platform for intellectual exchange and academic visibility.

“Our goal remains to institutionalise a robust and sustainable culture of inaugural lecture series in line with global best practices,” Dr. Uhiara stated, adding that the initiative is designed to promote knowledge sharing, talent development and academic excellence.

The event featured the presentation of the lecturer’s citation, goodwill messages, and a question-and-answer session that enriched academic engagement and intellectual discourse.

The colourful ceremony featured the formal decoration of Dr. Chikezie Okoronkwo as the inaugural lecturer and the presentation of a commemorative memento in recognition of his academic contributions.

The event also included goodwill messages from dignitaries and an engaging question-and-answer session, which enriched scholarly interaction and deepened discussions on the theme of the lecture.

The occasion was further enlivened by the dramatic unveiling of the Aro masquerade, which brought a striking cultural dimension to the academic gathering.

Traditional musical renditions and energetic dance performances electrified the auditorium, infusing the ceremony with colour, rhythm and vibrancy, and ultimately transforming the academic event into a memorable fusion of scholarship, culture and heritage.

The programme concluded with closing remarks, a vote of thanks, and the recession of the academic procession, marking another milestone in Federal Polytechnic Nekede’s tradition of intellectual excellence and cultural celebration.