The Maris Trust Council, (MTC) has announced Tuesday, January 14, 2025 as the closing date for the nomination of likely Keynote Speakers, suggestion of topics for discussion for the year 2025 edition of Maris Annual Public Service lecture series.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary, Maris Trust Council, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo.
Egugbo said, “It would be recalled that MTC, had in a meeting held on Friday, 20th December, 2024 resolved that nomination of names of likely people to deliver the Keynote address for this year’s edition of Maris Annual Public Service Lecture should commence; it was also, resolved that the public should suggest likely topics for discussion.
“In no little ways, the general public deserve commendation for the sustenance of the agenda-setting lecture by identifying societal challenges and also, attending the lecture in their large numbers to seek solutions to the challenges of the society.
“As at this morning, Friday, January 10, 2025, we have received twenty six topics in the areas of governance, education, politics, agriculture, economy, religion, among others; also, some of those who suggested the topics, suggested likely persons who are capable of speaking on them and as at this morning, we have eleven names suggested as likely Keynote Speakers.
“We are grateful to the participants, and to the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for making Delta State conducive for such international discourse to take place as the annual event attracts people from all over the world.
“Some fly in through the Asaba International Airport on the day of the lecture while some book their hotels well ahead of the day.
“Maris Annual Public Service Lecture is a participatory lecture, there is no discrimination of any kind as MTC chooses the Keynote Speaker from the list of suggested speakers and also, choose topics for discussion from the list of the topics suggested; this has made the lecture series one of the most attended, most publicized annual lectures in this part of the world.
“it is worthy to note that the lecture holds every year on its traditional date of the Wednesday of the Holy Week, that is, the Wednesday before Easter Sunday and for this year’s edition, it shall hold on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 from 12 noon prompt as there is no African time.
“The present Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, had delivered the lecture where he spoke on the topic, “Effective Tax Administration For The Delivery Of Democratic Dividends”; the Commissioner for Finance Delta State, Sir Fidelis Okennmor Tilije – “Provision Of Infrastructure As Catalyst For Growth Of Democratic Governments”; Rt. Hon. Festus Ovie Agas – “Selfless Service: A Phenomenal Virtue”, Chief Williams Makinde –“Managing Post-Election Challenges: Nigeria As Case Study;” and last year, the Vice Chancellor, University of Delta, (UNIDEL), Agbor spoke on the topic, “Flight of Talents: Navigating Nigeria’s Brain Drain Predicament.”
Egugbo asserted that nomination for this year’s edition shall end by midnight of Tuesday, January 14, 2025 and called on the public to remember the MTC in their prayers to get it right by choosing the right topic for discussion and the right person as Keynote Speaker for it to record the successes that it is known for.
“For some years, we have had consistent participants who look forward to the annual discourse and it is interesting to note that for some years now, we are the ones that will be pleading with the participants for the lecture to end, imagine seeing elderly people, people who have made their marks in their chosen professions sitting down for more than five hours discussing the way forward for humanity; at times, they will insist that some of the topics should be repeated the following year but to the glory of God Almighty, topics come up annually are appreciated by our participants at home and in the Diaspora.
“We appeal for sponsorship because Maris Annual Public Lecture series is being bankrolled from the pockets of very few individuals, sponsors have the benefits of their names and names of their organizations appearing in the publicity programmes which include radio, television jingles, newspapers, online and social media publications. Their names also appear in other publicity materials – flyers, programme brochure, backdrop, etc.
“For suggestion of names of likely Keynote Speakers, topics for discussion, sponsorship of the lecture, kindly send text messages or whatsapp messages to +2348032933933.
“We thank God for His blessings as we collectively work to make the world better than we met it; God bless you all,” the statement read.
