Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu on Wednesday described her late husband, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, as “a man of ideas” and a fighter for justice whose legacy demands courage, equity, and principled leadership.
She spoke at the 4th Annual Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu Memorial Lecture held at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, as part of the institution’s 16th convocation and Founders’ Day on April 22, 2026.
“This is not a mere ceremony but a convergence of history, intellect, and legacy,” the minister said. “He was not only a soldier and statesman, but also a man of ideas, a leader who believed in the power of knowledge, justice, and principled leadership.”
She said Ojukwu’s life forces questions about nationhood, inclusion, and leadership. “Leadership is not defined by convenience, but by courage, sacrifice, and the willingness to stand for what is just, even in the face of overwhelming odds.”
Bianca linked the university’s climate resilience focus to Ojukwu’s habits. “He loved planting trees, and understood long before climate action was amplified that trees were the silent guardians of our air, our soil and our future.”
She urged graduates to be ambassadors of the university and to build Nigeria on “justice, unity, and shared prosperity.” She called for stronger ties between academia and policy, saying universities must serve as think tanks on foreign relations, economic diplomacy, and development. The Foreign Affairs Ministry, she added, is open to such collaboration.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS Gautier Mignot delivered the guest lecture, “Sustainable and Climate Resilience Future: Beyond Rhetorics.” He said inaction on climate is “more detrimental than action” and described the minister as a key promoter of Nigeria-EU partnership.
COOU Vice Chancellor Prof Kate Omenugha commended Bianca for expanding the university’s reach in the diplomatic community. She also wished the new Governing Council a successful Founders’ Day.
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