…Says lecture valuable contribution to labour, equity discourse
CALABAR —The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, has commended Prof. Stephen Adi Odey for delivering a timely and insightful 164th Inaugural Lecture, describing it as a valuable contribution to the discourse on labour, equity and Africa’s digital future.
Prof. Offiong gave the commendation at the Godswill Akpabio International Conference Centre, UNICAL, during the institution’s 164th Inaugural Lecture delivered by Prof. Odey on the topic, “Social Dialogue and Industrial Equity in Africa’s Emerging Economies.”
The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Linkages and Collaborations, Prof. Anthony Eneji, said the lecture was not only relevant to academia but also to policy formulation as the continent grapples with the challenges and opportunities presented by the evolving digital economy.
“This lecture is a valuable contribution to the discourse on labour, equity and Africa’s digital future,” Prof. Offiong said. “The topic is not only relevant to academia but also to policy formulation.”
University’s Commitment to Research
The Vice Chancellor reaffirmed the University’s commitment to promoting research that addresses contemporary socio-economic issues.
He noted that UNICAL would continue to support scholarly work that speaks to the pressing challenges facing Nigeria and Africa, including the transformation of labour markets in the digital age.
Congratulations to the Inaugural Lecturer
Prof. Offiong congratulated Prof. Odey on the successful delivery of the 164th Inaugural Lecture, acknowledging the depth of research and the clarity of presentation that characterised the event.
He described the lecture as a reflection of the University’s growing reputation as a centre of academic excellence and policy-relevant research.
Colourful Event
The event witnessed a large turnout of individuals from all walks of life, including academics, captains of industry, top judicial officers, legislators at the state and national levels, members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, religious leaders, labour union representatives, students, and members of the university community.
The highpoint of the lecture was the presentation of a memento to the inaugural lecturer by the Deputy Vice Chancellor on behalf of the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Odey’s Charge
Earlier in his lecture, Prof. Odey, a Professor of Industrial Sociology and current Commissioner for Education in Cross River State, had charged governments and the private sector to invest in skills development and digital education to prepare the workforce for the evolving demands of the digital economy.
He also called for the updating of labour laws to cover informal and platform workers, the creation of national digital registries, and the implementation of gender-sensitive policies to protect women in digital labour markets.
