By Ikenna Nwokedi

The Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) Nnamdi Azikiwe University Chapter held her 1st Prof. Alice Ndu Annual Memorial Lecture and Public Presentation of the book: Women in Africa's Development, in honour of Prof. Alice Ndu, the Pioneer Chapter Chairman and Former Vice President NIM Chartered.

The Lecture which was held on Thursday, 12th October 2023 at the University Auditorium saw  scholars and stakeholders in the field of administration and management converge for the all important lecture.

In his address,  UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Okechukwu Esimone, FAS, stated that the event marks the remembrance and immortalization of the name of an icon who had lived and served society conscientiously. Prof. Esimone affirmed that Prof. Alice Ndu, of whose memory they gathered, served in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, attaining the much cherished position of Professor and had also serve the State in the capacity as Director-General in Ministry of Education and later as a Commissioner for the same Ministry. 

The VC further stated that Prof. Alice Ndu as Pioneer Chairperson of the NIM, Nnamdi Azikwe University Chapter, laid the formidable foundation on which subsequent administrations of the Chapter have successively built on. He mentioned that it is quite fit and proper and a well deserved honour that an annual lecture series was instituted in her name and a book on women active participation in societal growth and development.

On her part, the President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), Dr. (Mrs.) Christiana Atako, said she is honoured and privileged to be at the event as the Special Guest of Honour on the auspicious occasion of the 1st Prof. Alice Ndu Annual Memorial Lecture and Book Presentation in her honour. Dr. Atako specially commended UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Esimone for his love for the Institute and also, placed on record that the Institute is not unmindful of the role he played in hosting of the Intensive Training for Membership Admission (ITMA) Programme by UNIZIK Chapter of the Institute in July 2023.

Dr. Atako mentioned that it was in recognition of the visible contributions of the UNIZIK Chapter to the growth and advancement of the Institute in the last one year that it was honoured with the Best Chapter Award at the Institute's Annual National Management Conference (ANMC). The President commended the Chapter for the initiative of holding an annual memorial lecture and book presentation in honour of late Prof. Alice Ndu, who has made a lot of invaluable contributions to the growth of the Institute and the advancement of the Management profession.

Also speaking, the Chapter Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) UNIZIK, Ven. Prof. Anayo Nkamnebe, said the event is an avenue to pay tribute to the extraordinary legacy of a remarkable individual in the mould of Prof. Alice Ndu, the blazer and the first Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) UNIZIK Chapter.

Prof. Nkamnebe emphasized that Prof. Ndu's pioneering spirit played an instrumental role in establishing the foundation upon which their Chapter stands today. Prof. Nkamnebe revealed that the event is a means of celebrating God's special grace on their Chapter as they won the Best Chapter Award at the 2023 Annual National Management Conference held in Lagos. 

He said that the inaugural Prof. Alice Ndu Annual Memorial Lecture and the public presentation of the book "Women in Africa's Development are the least the chapter can embark on to commemorate her legacy, and the event is a platform for intellectual discourse, reflection and exchange of ideas. 

The UNIZIK Chapter Chairman, said the significance of the occasion extends beyond the event arena and underscores the importance of their collective efforts in advancing the ideals of leadership, education and empowerment that Prof. Alice Ndu held dear which is a reminder that we all play a part in shaping the future of our university, society and the continent. 

On her part, the book reviewer and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Paul University, Awka, Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna informed that it is rare to see many books that are as rich in context like that of Prof. Ndu.

Prof. Okunna praised Professor Anayo Nkamnebe and Pharmacist Chizoba Chendo for a great job well done editing the book. The first female Professor of Mass Communication in Nigeria opined that the chapters of the book blended into each other and portrayed an eloquent and brilliant professionalism. She noted that it is a truly tuned powerful book of many knowledgeable professionals powerfully speaking out in a multi-history of voices on a multi-history of histories concerning women, their challenges, trials, tribulations and valients struggles to rise in what they are doing. 

The reviewer highlighted that the book acknowledges everything about the African Woman and the Nigerian woman in development.

Highpoints of the occasion was presentation of membership certificates to UNIZIK VC and newly inducted members by NIM (Chartered) President, Dr. Atako as well as award of scholarships to student of UNIZIK in the or of cheques by Pastor Emeka Ndu on behalf of the family and Alice Ndu Foundation.