Prof. Eghagha To Discuss ‘Insecurity: Bane Of Nigeria’s Unity And Progress’ At Maris Lecture 2026
By Wilson Macaulay
A literary icon, Prof. Hope Oghenerukevbe Eghagha, will attend this year’s Maris Annual Public Service Lecture as a Discussant, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, scribe of Maris Trust Council (MTC), has said.
Egugbo in a statement issued on Wednesday in Asaba, Delta State, said that Prof. Eghagha, a columnist with the Guardian Newspaper is going to discuss the topic, ‘Insecurity: Bane Of Nigeria’s Unity And Progress’ at the lecture which will have General Lucky Irabor, former Chief of Defence Staff as the Keynote Speaker.
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The statement reads:
“Today, we wish to let the public know that a renowned columnist, playwright and author of several books, Prof. Hope Eghagha will attend this year’s Maris Lecture as a Discussant.
“The topic for discussion, ‘Insecurity: Bane Of Nigeria’s Unity and Progress’ will be delivered by Nigeria’s former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor.
“Former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Dele Ezeoba will be Chairman of Occasion while a former Director of Department of State Services (DSS), Sir Mike Ejiofor, a security expert will also, be a discussant at the lecture which will have Prof. Kemi Emina, the OdiEga of Ebu Kingdom as Moderator.
“It is worthy to note that the choice of Prof. Eghagha as a discussant at this lecture is because of his experience as a social critic, a lecturer of no mean repute and of course, he spent more than one week in the kidnappers’ den.
“This year’s lecture dubbed, ‘security summit ahead of the 2027 general elections,’ in some social circles, by the grace of God, will meet with the objective of the lecture series which is, identifying societal challenges and proffering solutions to them.
“You may recall that Sir Ejiofor, have first hand information of what it means to be kidnapped as he had personally experienced such while the Keynote Speaker, General Lucky Irabor, is known to be the nightmare of bandits.
“We thank the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for his commitment to the provision of infrastructure, deepening democratic values, ensuring a peaceful Delta State and working for a peaceful Nigeria.
“The Governor has magnanimously approved the use of the prestigious Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba for the annual lecture series.
“As we are aware, the Maris Annual Public Servoce Lecture holds every Wednesday of the Holy Week, that is, Wednesday before Easter Sunday and for this year’s edition, it shall hold on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 and it starts at exactly 12 noon, giving those who are travelling from outside Asaba time to enter Asaba either through the road, train, River Niger or the Asaba International Airport.
“Asaba is safe, boasts of hotels of international standards, has a lot of places for relaxation and tourism sites such as the Lander Brother’s Anchorage, the Mungo Park House, the Marian Babangida Leisure Centre and Film Village and also, hosts the Dennis Osadebay University; so, for those who decides to be in Asaba long before April 1 date of the lecture, you can enjoy the warm hospitality that the people of Delta State are known for before, during and after the lecture.
“No special invitation card is required to attend Maris Lectures, all that is required is for you to be properly dressed, and be in the right state of mind to learn from experts and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the society.
“For sponsorship, details about the lecture, reach Fidelis – +2348032933933.”
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PROFESSOR HOPE OGHENRUKEVBE EGHAGHA
Prof. Hope Eghagha was bon in Burutu on September 4th, 1959.
Among institutions that he attended include Zik Grammar School Sapele, Delta State, Baptist High School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State and University of Lagos where bagged Doctor of Philosophy in 1994. During his compulsory National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) in 1982, Eghagha was appointed a producer with the Nigerian Television Authority, Sokoto.
Eghagha, former Commissioner for Higher Education, Delta State, is a Professor in English and teaches Literature at the University of Lagos. Midway into his tenure as Commissioner in 2012, he was kidnapped but regained freedom after sixteen days. That encounter made him write a short story titled “Your Death Hour is 10 O’clock”.
A Visiting Member of the Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspaper, Prof. Eghagha through his weekly newspaper column, explores complex challenges in Nigeria. He is also a playwright, author of Death, Not a Redeemer (a play) (1998), Rhythms of the last testament (2002), and this story must not be told (2003) both poetry collections. Emperors of Salvation is his first published novel.
He was Acting Dean Faculty of Arts University of Lagos in 2015 and Head of Department of English, University of Lagos from 2016 to 2019. Eghagha has supervised many Ph.Ds and was made a full Professor in 2010. Eghagha is Honorary Colonel of the Commonwealth of Kentucky US (1999) and Honorary Captain of the Belle of Louisville (1999).
Prof. Eghagha served as Secretary of the 88-man transition committee set up in preparation for the inauguration of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as Governor. He is a member of the Nigerian Academy of Letters; Nigerian Folklore Society; Association of Nigerian Authors; and the African Literature Association (ALA).
He married his wife Patricia in 1984 and the couple have four children and many grandchildren.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, FEBRUARY 18TH 2026)
