By Emmanuel Ogoigbe………..Warri
- Vice Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU), Professor Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, has praised the excellent delivery of the University’s inaugural lecture by Professor Sunny ijirhevwe Awhefeada. Professor Asagba made this commendation at the 117th in the series of inaugural lectures of the University which took place on Thursday, 15th January, 2026 at the 750 Lecture Theatre A, Site III. Represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Edmund Aviedo Atakpo, Professor Asagba said the inaugural lecturer excellently relayed the happenings of the Nigerian state using literature. He concluded that the lecture revealed the true state of the Nigerian society.
Speaking earlier on the topic: The Literature of Our State: An Evolutionary Engagement with Modern Nigerian Literature, the Inaugural Lecturer, Professor Sunny Ijirhevwe Awhefeada gave an insightful evolutionary story of literature of the Nigerian state. The Professor of African Literature chronicled the history of the Nigerian literature which began in the colonial era when literary writers particularly poets, used their works as tools for cultural nationalism.
He further argued that the poems of these Nigerian poets were neither apologetic nor tentative rather,their poems rang out in assertive and definitive manner. According to him, this period which spanned between 1950s and the 1960s were decades of anticolonial ferment when Nigerians felt the itch to tell their story and not as told by the colonial masters who painted Africa and Africans in poor light- which does reflect the true picture of Africans. Speaking further, Professor Awhefeada opined that colonial era gave way to the post-colonial era of Nigerian literature adding that during this era, citizens were in the euphoria of independence,as Nigerian literary artistes were reflective of the fate of the new nation called: Nigeria.
According to him, sadly, their reflections turned out to be prophecy where the Nigerian independence did not yield the expected prosperous nation rather, it was corruption and civil war that the nation experienced after independence. Professor Awhefeada also highlighted other phases of the Nigerian literature such as ideological ferment, female gender entry into the Nigerian literary world, use of literature for medicinal therapeutic purpose as well as the memoirs and autobiographic era of the Nigerian literature.
Others were the Eco-literature and the millennium and new directions for Nigerian literature. In conclusion, Professor Awhefeada argued that the Nigerian literature is important as it is the nation’s prime endowment in human capital and international prestige just as he said, it is also the mirror of the Nigerian state for its didactic, educative, entertaining and therapeutic functions.
The highlights of the 117th inaugural lecture were the decoration of the inaugural lecturer, Professor Sunny Ijirhevwe Awhefeada with the prestigious medal of inaugural lecturers of the University by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, special musical rendition by the Department of Music, photo sessions of the inaugural lecturer with principal officers of the university as well as with family and friends.
Dignitaries present at the ceremony included Vice Chancellor of DELSU, Prof Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, represented by Deputy vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Edmund Aviedo Atakpo, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Hilary Ijeoma Owamah, Provost of Oleh Campus, Professor Austin Atonuje, Registrar of the University, Mrs Rufina Ufiofio and the University Bursar, Mrs Otimeyin Ekakitie-Omajuwa.
Also present were the University Librarian, Dr Josephine Eruterio Onohwakpor, DELSU Governing Council Chairman, General Alexander Ogomudia (Rtd), Rector of Delta State Maritime Polytechnic, Professor James Okoro and Librarian of Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Dr (Chief) Edwin Achugbue. Also attendance were Chief Strategist to the Governor of Delta State, Dr Festus Okunbor, Chairman of Dennis Osadebey University Governing Council, Professor Robert Ikomi, the President General of the Urhobo Progress Union, Barr. Ese Gam Owe, members of the Clergy, Provosts, Deans, Directors, Professors, staff and students of the university.
Others were Deputy Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo, former DELSU Governing Council Chairman, Professor Sam Oyovbaire and his wife, Rose Oyovbaire, former Vice Chancellor of DELSU, Emeritus Professor Eric Arubayi and his wife, Professor (Mrs) Diana Arubayi, Professor Godini Darah, former Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Patrick Muoboghare, friends and family members of the inaugural lecturer including his wife, Professor (Mrs) Ufuoma Awhefeada and parents, Mr and Mrs Patrick Awhefeada.
