Inaugural lectures are intellectual milestones that symbolize a scholar’s formal contribution to the academic world. They are not just ceremonies but profound avenues for the dissemination of groundbreaking knowledge. The Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Port Harcourt, has been at the forefront of this tradition, marking its place as a beacon of academic rigour. Since 2022, CIWA has hosted six inaugural lectures, each illuminating various fields of theological, social, and cultural relevance.  

The inaugural series at CIWA commenced with Prof. Patrick Chukwudezie Chibuko of the Department of Liturgical Theology. On Tuesday, April 27, 2021, he delivered a groundbreaking lecture titled Dynamics of Liturgy in the COVID-19 and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Era: Implications for the Church in Nigeria. This lecture provided profound insights into how the Church adapted its liturgical practices during an unprecedented global health crisis.  

On January 14, 2022, the series continued with Monsignor Prof. Joseph Oladejo Faniran, Africa’s pioneer pastoral communications expert, who explored The Search for the Nexus Between Communication and Theology: From *Fides Quaerens to Communicationem *Et Intellectum. His lecture traced the intricate connections between faith, communication, and intellectual engagement, cementing his status as a thought leader in this field.  

Next came Prof. Emmanuel Okwudiri Nwaoru on Friday, June 3, 2022, with his thought-provoking discourse, Israel Amongst the Nations: A Look at Biblical and Sociopolitical Issues in Re-Framing Identity. His lecture was a masterful blend of biblical exegesis and sociopolitical analysis, leaving the audience captivated.  

Later that year, on November 25, 2022, Prof. Cosmas Aluede Ojemen, a first-class Canon Law scholar from the Diocese of Uromi, presented his lecture titled Organs of Collaboration in Particular Churches Since the Second Vatican Council: A Canonical Overview. His address offered a meticulous canonical analysis of collaborative structures within the Church, showcasing his expertise.  

In 2023, the tradition continued with Prof. Luke Emehiele Ijezie, a seasoned scripture scholar, who delivered the 6th inaugural lecture on April 28, 2023. His topic, Reading the Ethno-Religious Ideology of Ezra-Nehemiah in the Context of Ethnic and Religious Conflicts in Contemporary African Society, echoed  deeply, addressing contemporary African challenges through a biblical lens.  

Before this, the 5th inaugural lecture was delivered by Prof. Ferdinand Nwigbo, a trailblazer in African theology. His lecture, the first from his department, struck at the very core of theological discourse in Africa, making an indelible mark.  

Nine months after the 6th lecture, CIWA is set to host its 7th inaugural lecture on December 6, 2024. Prof. Inaku Kenneth Egere, an erudite scholar in digital communication, will present a forward-looking lecture titled Demystifying Emerging Media Theory for Remediating Contextualization for Digital Communication and Artificial Intelligence in Africa. This event promises to redefine theories of digital communication and artificial intelligence, marking the second inaugural lecture from CIWA's Department of Communication Studies.  

Inaugural lectures hold a prestigious place in academia, being the exclusive reserve of professors. They serve as  public platform for scholars to showcase their research, insights, and contributions to knowledge. The tradition dates back to the medieval universities of Europe, with one of the earliest known inaugural lectures delivered at the University of Bologna in 1088. Over the centuries, this practice has evolved into a rite of passage for academics, symbolizing their entry into the “hall of academic fame.”  

CIWA’s inaugural lectures are more than academic exercises; they are seeds of intellectual transformation. As CIWA approaches its 7th inaugural lecture, the institution reaffirms its commitment to advancing knowledge that addresses local and global challenges. This milestone reflects CIWA’s role in shaping minds and fostering discourse that transcends borders, enriching the academic and spiritual fabric of society.  

CIWA stands not just at the nautical twilight but at the dawn of a brighter academic future. Its inaugural lectures are living proofs  of  the institute’s enduring legacy of intellectual excellence. 

Fr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie Ã

@CIWA, December 2, 2024