By Daniel Amarachi

Imagine a university buzzing with excitement because one of its professors has just given a super important and interesting talk A. That’s exactly what happened at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) when Professor Ogbuoshi from the Mass Communication department delivered his inaugural lecture on “Communication Innovation Paradigm In The Digital Age: Saboteurs Shaping Psychology Security In Nigeria.” It wasn’t just another speech; it was an event filled with praise, new ideas, and even some surprising thoughts about communication

Professor Chris Ogar, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the Inaugural Lecture, couldn’t have been more impressed. He described Professor Ogbuoshi as being completely “on point” and tackling important current issues with expertise. In fact, Professor Ogar declared Professor Ogbuoshi “a flyer” who truly “flew” during his presentation! This shows just how impactful the lecture was for those who organized it.

The Head of the Mass Communication Department, Dr. Chidiebere Ezinwa, shared his enthusiasm. He felt Professor Ogbuoshi’s lecture was “current, innovative and quite enriching.” For Dr. Ezinwa, the highlight was how the professor offered potential solutions to problems facing the society – a central aim of the special university lectures.

Professor Ogbuoshi didn’t just reflect on his past works; he also looked to the future with a significant suggestion. He proposed that all first-year students at ESUT should be required to take “Introduction to Mass Communication.” This idea resonated strongly with Dr. Ezinwa, who wholeheartedly agreed. He explained that communication is fundamental that it’s even considered a core aspect of existence in spiritual realms!

Dr. Ezinwa believes that many of the challenges we face as a society stem from a lack of effective communication. He even pointed out how our clothing choices communicate messages. He is hopeful that the university management will seriously consider this proposal.

On his part, Dr. Maxwell Ngene, a long-time colleague of Professor Ogbuoshi, emphasized the professor’s impressive academic achievements. He noted the large turnout for the lecture and the well-organized content. Dr. Ngene highlighted that Professor Ogbuoshi is a highly published scholar, with an astounding 136 works to his name! While acknowledging that public speaking might not be his primary strength, Dr. Ngene affirmed that Professor Ogbuoshi is a “topnotch” expert in research, writing, and the principles of communication. He even humorously mentioned the significant financial reward Professor Ogbuoshi received for the lecture, suggesting it was a well-deserved recognition.

Dr. Ngene also took a moment to commend the Mass Communication students for their dedication to their studies and their work on the ESUT MONITOR Newspaper, encouraging them to continue honing their skills.

Barrister Dr. Dennis Ochiaka, a lecturer from faculty a management sciences had a unique perspective. He revealed that he was a classmate of Professor Ogbuoshi in a theological seminary! He remembered him as a very intelligent individual. Dr. Ochiaka found the lecture incredibly engaging, so much so that he remained fully attentive throughout. He was particularly intrigued by the concept of “extra mundane communication,” which made him wonder about the possibility of communicating with ancestors – a thought that clearly captured his imagination.

Dr. Ochiaka also strongly supported the idea of mandatory introductory communication for all first-year students. He stressed that basic communication skills are crucial for students to understand their lectures and succeed academically.

Professor Chris Ogar also offered a suggestion for the Inaugural Lecture Committee itself. He proposed making these lectures less frequent, perhaps once every two months instead of the current more frequent schedule. His reasoning was twofold: to restore the specialness of the event and to help manage the university’s financial resources more effectively.

Professor Ogbuoshi’s inaugural lecture was far more than just a formal presentation. It was a vibrant event that sparked important conversations about the future of education at ESUT, celebrated the remarkable achievements of a distinguished professor, and even touched on fascinating and unexpected aspects of communication. It was undoubtedly a day of pride and inspiration for the entire university community.