On Wednesday, April 16, 2025 Asaba, the capital city of Delta State will witness the influx of personalities as it host the Year 2025 edition of Maris Annual Public Service Lecture.
For this year’s lecture, a successful private sector operator, Sir Patrick Ejidoh will be the Keynote Speaker, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, Secretary, Maris Trust Council (MTC), organisers of the annual event, said in a press statement he issued on Friday evening.
The announcement of Eridoh has put to rest speculations about who will deliver the lecture following the close of nomination of likely quest speakers for this year’s lecture some weeks ago.
It would be recalled that Egugbo had in a statement, said that, “on Friday, December 20, 2024, the public was invited to nominate potential keynote speakers and topics for this year’s lecture and by the close of nominations on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 18 distinguished Nigerians were suggested to deliver the Keynote Address and within the period, 29 topics were suggested out of which the Maris Trust Council, led by Chief (Sir) Kenneth Olise, chose three topics and reached out to potential Keynote Speakers.”
Serious-minded individuals all over the world look forward to the Wednesday of the Holy Week, that is, the Wednesday before Easter Sunday to participate in the annual lecture series which was designed to address pressing societal issues.
Though, Egugbo declined to reveal the topic that Sir Ejidoh will speak on, saying that such would be disclosed in few days time, his statement rekindled the hope of participants at the annual event that it would hold on its traditional date and at its usual venue, the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba at its usual time of 12 noon prompt.
He said: “it is with gratitude to God Almighty that we wish to inform participants at the Maris Annual Public Service lecture series that a successful private sector operator, Sir Patrick Eridoh has agreed to be the Keynote Speaker at the year 2025 edition of Maris Annual Public Service Lecture.
“The choice of Sir Ejidoh was borne out of his years of experience in the private sector and his background of being very knowledgeable about issues that affect the masses.
“Recall that at the close of nomination of likely Keynote Speakers for this Year’s Lecture, 18 distinguished personalities were nominated and twenty nine topics suggested as likely topics for discussion.
“In our characteristic manner of adhering to the choice of the public, we reached out to the most nominated individuals and the Maris Trust Council led by Chief (Sir) Kenneth Olise, Ph.D, FCA, JP, also, chose three topics which were suggested to the Keynote Speakers; though, the process is rigorous, we are very happy that Sir Ejidoh has agreed to be the Keynote Speaker at this year’s lecture.
“As it concerns the topic that he will speak on, that will be revealed in few days time and with his acceptance, we shall also,/ inform you about those who will play key roles such as Special Guest of Honour, Guest(s) of Honour, Chairman of Occasion, Father of the Day, Mother of the Day, Spiritual Father of the Day, Discussants, Moderator, among others in the next few days.
“We sincerely thank the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for towing the line of his predecessor, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa by making the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba available annually for this international event; we also, appreciate the efforts of the governor in making Asaba and Delta safe for this international discourse and for those who want to fly in through the Asaba International Airport, days before the lecture, Asaba plays host to hotels of international standards and has tourism sites that they can visit while waiting for the lecture which commences at exactly 12 noon every Wednesday before Easter Sunday.
“To the regular participants, especially, those who are always physically present, and those who follow up the lecture from different parts of the world online, thank you for your prayers and for believing that collectively, we can make the world a better place.
“In our characteristic manner of letting you know about who will deliver the lecture, below is an abridged citation of the Keynote Speaker for the Year 2025 Edition Of Maris Annual Public Service Lecture. For more details, text or whatsapp messages can be sent to +234 8032933933. God bless you.”
PROFILE OF SIR PATRICK ANYIBUOFU EJIDOH HND, MBA, MSC, M.iod, MNIM
Sir Patrick Anyibuofu Ejidoh hails from Ogbekenu Village in Onicha-Olona in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Patrick attended Auchi Polytechnic from 1980 -1984 and was the President of the Students Union Government (SUG) in 1984. He brought fame and popularity to Students Unionism in the institution which earned him automatic employment with the defunct Bendel State Government where he worked in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Benin-City (1985-1987) from where he joined the Heineken group – Nigerian Breweries Plc. He held Sales, Corporate affairs and Senior Management positions and in August 2016, he was seconded to Champion Breweries Plc, Uyo as Managing Director cum Chief Executive Officer.
He retired in January 2020 after 33 years of meritorious service to the Heineken group.
Served as member, Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, & Agriculture,
Member, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture.
Member, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN); Abia/Imo, Enugu/Anambra/Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom /Cross River States.
He is a member of the Institute of Directors of Nigeria & Nigerian Institute of Marketing.
Patrick A. Ejidoh is currently a Business Consultant (Corporate Governance, Sustainability and Risk Management).
He is the Chairman Board of Directors, Sustraway Consultants limited.
Chairman, Board of Directors “Speak for Life Cancer Prevention Initiative” a non- governmental organisation based in Kaduna.
He is a devout Christian and a member of the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM).
He is a member of Olona Country Club, Onicha-Olona and was the pioneer National President of the club. His great strides and enduring legacies have continued to propel the club to greater heights.
He is currently the President-General of Onicha-Olona Development Union (OODU).
He is happily married with children.
Sir Ejidoh enjoys the game of Golf.
Past keynote speakers at Maris Annual Public Service Lecture series include notable personalities such as the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA; former Chief of Staff, Government House, Asaba, Rt. Hon. Festus Ovie Agas; the Delta State Commissioner for Finance, Sir Fidelis Okennmor Tilije; and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Delta, Agbor, Prof. Chinye Chiemeke, among others
