PROFESSOR FELIX ENEGHO DELIVERS THE 22ND INAUGURAL LECTURE OF PRINCE ABUBAKAR AUDU UNIVERSITY, ANYIGBA
…Calls for a Church Committed to Humanity, Ethical Leadership and National Development
Professor of Church History and Missiology, Professor Felix Ehimare Enegho, has called on the Church and all people of goodwill to embrace a holistic mission that promotes human dignity, ethical leadership, peaceful coexistence and sustainable societal development.
He made the call while delivering the 22nd Inaugural Lecture of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, titled “On the Move for the Carpenter’s Son and Humanity in Historical and Missiological Contexts, ” on Tuesday, 30th June, 2026, at the University Auditorium, where he explored the historical development of Christianity, the evolution of missionary enterprise and the enduring relevance of faith in addressing contemporary human challenges.
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Delivering the lecture, Prof. Enegho explained that the Church’s mission extends beyond evangelism to encompass the promotion of justice, peace, education, human development and responsible citizenship, stressing that authentic Christianity must positively transform both individuals and society.
He described Church History as the systematic study of the activities, experiences and contributions of Christians throughout history, while defining Missiology as the academic discipline that examines the Church’s missionary mandate, methods and impact across cultures and nations.
The inaugural lecturer said, Christianity has played a significant role in the historical evolution of Nigeria by contributing to education, healthcare, national integration and leadership development, noting that the activities of missionaries laid important foundations for the emergence of modern Nigerian society.
Prof. Enegho observed that effective evangelisation requires sincerity of purpose, cultural sensitivity and genuine concern for humanity, emphasising that the Church must communicate the Gospel through both words and practical acts of service capable of addressing the physical and spiritual needs of the people.
He maintained that language remains a vital instrument of successful missionary work, urging religious organisations to communicate their messages in languages that are accessible and meaningful to diverse communities, in line with the example of the early Church at Pentecost.
Speaking on church growth, Prof. Enegho identified sound methodology, quality education, healthcare delivery, social welfare, vocational empowerment and community development as indispensable tools for effective evangelisation and sustainable expansion of the Christian faith.
The Inaugural Lecturer also examined Christian-Muslim relations in Nigeria, advocating greater interreligious dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among adherents of different faiths as essential ingredients for national unity and development.
On political leadership, Prof. Enegho stated that the Church has continued to contribute significantly to nation-building by promoting moral values, peace, good governance and responsible leadership, while encouraging citizens to participate actively in the democratic process.
He further emphasised the importance of in-culturation, urging the Church in Nigeria to deepen its understanding of indigenous cultures and creatively adapt Christian teachings to local realities without compromising the core principles of the Christian faith.
Addressing the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, the Inaugural Lecturer noted that the movement has contributed immensely to spiritual renewal within the Church through the promotion of prayer, evangelisation and active participation of the laity, while calling for greater understanding and cooperation among different groups within the Christian community.
Prof. Enegho also highlighted the relationship between migration, development and missionary expansion, explaining that the movement of peoples has historically shaped the spread of Christianity and the development of nations across the world.
On environmental stewardship, he observed that increasing environmental degradation poses serious threats to humanity, and challenged Christians to embrace their divine responsibility as faithful stewards of God’s creation through sustainable environmental practices.
He concluded that being “On the Move for the Carpenter’s Son” transcends religious identity and represents a universal commitment to integrity, service, hard work, justice, compassion and the advancement of humanity. He stressed that education should produce individuals who combine professional competence with wisdom, moral responsibility and commitment to the common good.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Inaugural Lecture Committee congratulated the Inaugural Lecturer on attaining the distinguished academic milestone, and commended his outstanding contributions to scholarship in Church History and Missiology.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, described the 22nd Inaugural Lecture as another significant milestone in the University’s academic history, noting that it was the fifth inaugural lecture since his assumption of office on 11th February, 2026.
He noted that the lecture theme was timely and profoundly relevant, as it addressed critical issues relating to compassion, justice, ethical leadership, peace and human dignity, which remain indispensable in confronting contemporary social and national challenges.
The Vice-Chancellor added that the lecture also demonstrated the interdisciplinary relevance of Church History and Missiology, highlighting their connections with history, sociology, philosophy, political science and communication in advancing knowledge and promoting societal development.
Prof. Usman reaffirmed the University’s commitment to promoting excellence in teaching, research, innovation and character development through sustained support for impactful scholarship and intellectual engagement.
He expressed appreciation to the Chairman and members of the Inaugural Lecture Committee for their dedication to sustaining the University’s culture of scholarship and intellectual excellence.
The Vice-Chancellor heartily congratulated Prof. Enegho on his remarkable academic achievement and commended him for enriching the University community and the wider society through his scholarship and intellectual contributions.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the inaugural lecture certificate, plaque and medal to the Inaugural Lecturer.
The lecture attracted members of the University Management, Senate, academic and non-teaching staff, students, religious leaders, traditional rulers, alumni associations, scholars from other institutions and distinguished guests from within and outside the University community.
Uredo Omale,
Public Relations Officer,
Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JULY 1ST 2026)
