Lecturers serving in the University of Nigeria have been advised to continue to be dedicated and committed in discharging their duties as their works are recognised and appreciated by the institution.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Professor Polycarp Uchechukwu Chidio gave the charge ,Thursday, 19Th September ,2024 during a valedictory lecture held in honour of Professor Justitia Odinaka Nnabuko to mark her retirement, having served the University of Nigeria Enugu campus as a lecturer in the department of Marketing in the past forty one years.
He commended Professor Nnabuko for her numerous contributions to the field of academics.
In her valedictory lecture on the topic, “Marketing Education and Professionalism in Nigeria: Shifts in Paradigm”, the Lecturer and Celebrant, Prof. Justitia Nnabuko observed that there were many problems in the Marketing Profession , calling for unity among members of the Marketing professional Bodies.
Pix: Prof Justitia Nnabuko
Prof Nnabuko spoke on various Marketing concepts and sustainable marketing, saying, that Marketing involves all those business activities that are concerned with what consumers’ welfare, what the consumers needed, and where they want them to be delivered. It entails making profits from the marketing activities .
She also spoke on improved ways of marketing ,noting that technology has been integrated into Marketing and professionals should key into it
“We have seen a lot of changes in technology, people can do a lot of things with their phones, marketing, and other things which we were not done before.
Nigeria is shifting to cashless economy .It is getting to everywhere . Even in villages, they are carrying their POS , doing business.”she said.
She advised producers to package their products well and be guided by what consumers had advised , so that they can make it.
“We are going back to customized marketing. People do a lot of things with their phones. What you got in your phone is product information.
She observed that there are marketing and consumer issues that marketers should look at and do something about it.
On marketing harmful products like alcohol and tobacco, Prof Nnabuko advised that small inscription should be attached on the pack, for instance, for tobacco, you attach caution, “smoking is injurious to health”.
She encouraged students of marketing to understand that marketing in Nigeria has shifted in the twentieth century . On Professionalism, Professor Nnabuko advised marketers to always keep to the ethics of the Marketing profession , be creative , embrace team work and critical thinking.
She explained that in professionalism, ethics, norms and values are very important noting that “we cannot afford to be doing things anyhow.”
On education, she said teaching is an interesting thing but it is challenging. She challenged teachers to be dedicated, build relationships with students because it is rewarding
Prof Nnabuko lamented that the Marketing department of the University of Nigeria has faced numerous challenges over the years,which were yet to be fixed , expressing the hope that department of marketing in the institution will gain it’s stands. She therefore called on the University management to fix the problems and create a conducive environment for both lecturers and the students to achieve desired results in teaching and learning. She regretted that many students of marketing had switched to other departments because of unaddressed challenges in the department.
Professor Nnabuko urged Marketing Professionals to go back to their marketing profession to see what they can do to better their lots
She said the Valedictory/ birthday celebration was a day of recognizing those who mattered in her life.
In his remarks the Deputy Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Professor Daniel Nwachukwu commended Prof Nnabuko for her numerous contributions to academic works in the Institution and beyond. , describing her as a committed, hardworking, dedicated Lecturer and a Professor of excellence in the academic world.
One of her PhD supervisees and secretary publicity subcommittee of the LOC, Secretary of the Forum of Prof Justitia Nnabuko’s PhD Mentees and Vice President , Faculty of Business Administration Alumni Association, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Dr. Oliver Ngwoke, said Valedictory lecture is important in many ways which included,
to announce the retirement of a Professor in the university, to mark the delivery of her last lecture before leaving the ivory tower. He added that valedictory lecture reflects the endless commitment one has made over the year to better humanity and the society at large, it is also a celebration of one’s remarkable achievements, dedications and contribution to knowledge.
On his impression about Prof. Nnabuko, Dr. Ngwoke, said, ” My view about Prof. Nnabuko is that, she is a good academic who produced many respected persons in the society today, over 60 PhD holders in marketing and public relations of which, I am one of them. As a marketing guru, her impacts can be felt both in academic and industry. She is an upright and virtuous woman who does not believe in short cut. She is averse to extortion of students. She believes in due process. She is humble, kind and generous”.
The event was proceeded with a church service which was held at the Redemption Chapel ,UNEC, with a sermon delivered by Reverend John Uchendu .
Focusing on the readings from Psalm 50 verse 1-5 , the Clergy urged the congregation to emulate Prof Nnabuko who did put God first in all she did . He likened her belief in God to that of David in the Bible who considered God first in all he did and such faith made David great in his family.
Reverend Uchendu noted that those who walked with God always excel in all they do . He encouraged Christians to draw closer to God and always pray to God as he has all power to solve their problems.
Professor Nnabuko who hailed from Abia state was born on 23rd of September, 1954 to the family of Late Chief Boniface Kabiri
Oparandu and Late Mrs. Josephine Ulunma Oparandu of Umuene village,
Obiangwu Community in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State.
According to one of her Ph.D Supervisees, Dr. Oliver Ngwoke , Professor Nnabuko rose from humble beginnings to become one of the Nigeria‟s most influential erudite scholars. She grew up in a family that values education and hard work, and this eventually shaped her academic
spirit from a young age. Justie (as she likes to be called) began her quest for
knowledge from St. Peters Primary School Obibi, Imo State, where she acquired
Primary education. For her Secondary Education, she headed to Girl‟s
Secondary School, Egbu, in Owerri, where she finished in 1974. Furthermore,
she attended Teacher‟s Training College, Adazi in Anaocha Local Government
Area of Anambra State, where she got TCII in 1976. She afterwards proceeded
to University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she obtained Degree of Bachelor of
Science (B.Sc.) in Business Education (1981), Degree of Master of Business
Administration in Marketing (MBA), (1987), and Degree of Doctor of
Philosophy (Ph. D.) in Marketing (2002).
Moreover, she also attended a one year Post-Doctoral Diploma (ITP) of the
International School of Business Management (ISBM) held in Stockholm
School of Business, Sweden (2005). Prof. Justie Nnabuko equally possesses the
SAP and Harvard Business School Certificate (2019).
Pix- Prof Nnabuko
The academic guru later
went to IMD, Lausanne in Switzerland where she obtained High Board
Performance Certificate (2022). Not yet done, she proceeded to Wharton School
in University of Pennsylvania, Chicago, where she earned a certificate in
Investment Strategies and Portfolio Management (2023).
Her knack for service delivery led her to engage in teaching profession as a
young graduate at Federal Government College, Enugu in 1982. Prof.
Nnabuko‟s academic journey began in earnest when she was recruited in 1983
as a graduate assistant in the Department of Marketing, Faulty of Business
Administration, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. She has taught
marketing to undergraduate and postgraduate students of the university and
other tertiary institutions in and out of the country for 40 years, and she has
Author: Maureen Ikpeama