The Guest Speaker for this year’s edition of Maris Annual Public Service Lecture, Prof. Stella Chinye Chiemeke, on Saturday marked the anniversary of her birth with a modification of the topic for discussion for year 2024 Maris Lecture.
The Maris Trust Council, MTC, organisers of the annual Maris Lecture series had suggested, “Brain Drain: Any Future For Nigeria?” but Prof. Chiemeke, while marking the anniversary of her birth, disclosed that the topic should be, “Flight of Talents: Navigating Nigeria’s Brain Drain Predicament.”
This development has been accepted by the Maris Trust Council, the Secretary, MTC, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo said.
According to Egugbo, the MTC is happy that while Prof. Chiemeke is preparing to address the world on Brain Drain as it affects Nigeria, she is also marking the anniversary of her birth.
“Today, to the glory of God Almighty, we join the family of Prof. Stella Chinye Chiemeke, the Vice Chancellor, University of Delta, UNIDEL, Agbor, the University Community, her friends and well wishers to thank God for making it possible for her to mark another birthday anniversary.
“We thank God for blessing Prof. Chiemeke with good health, sound state of mind and providing the platforms for her to excel as the first Professor of Computer Science in Delta State, former Rector, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, first Vice Chancellor, University of Delta, Agbor, first female to address the world using Maris Annual Public Service Lecture as a platform, among others.
“We were not surprised when she modified the topic for discussion at the Year 2024 edition of Maris Annual Public Service Lecture from ‘Brain Drain: Any Future For Nigeria?’ to ‘Flight of Talents: Navigating Nigeria’s Brain Drain Predicament.’
“The modified topic, succinctly put, has got a lot to do with the ‘jakpa syndrome’ in Nigeria.
“We are grateful to the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for making Delta conducive for such discussion to take place, we thank the Chairman of Occasion, the Mother of the Day, Father of the Day, Discussants, and the wonderful participants across the world who are waiting eagerly to discuss the way forward for Nigeria nay humanity.
“While we congratulate Prof. Chiemeke on the celebration of the anniversary of her birth, we are confident that she will do justice to the topic for discussion on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba from 12 Noon prompt,” Egugbo said.
Egugbo who is the Senior Special Assistant, Media, to the Governor of Delta State observed that Delta is progressively on course and can be accessed from any part of the world using the Asaba International Airport or the airport at Osubi, by roads or by sea, asserting, “Asaba is one of the most peaceful state capitals in Nigeria, with good network of roads and hotels of international standards, it is ready to host Year 2024 edition of Maris Annual Public Service Lecture.”
