The distinguished lecture series was instituted in 2004 to immortalise Prof. Ben Enwonwu's unequaled contributions to the growth of art in Africa and the world. The first nine editions of the lecture held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), the 10th held at The Wheatbaker, Ikoyi, Lagos, while the 11th held at the MUSON Centre. The series offers an opportunity for national and international leaders, renowned academics, policy makers and the rich diversity of contemporary Nigerian society to share their understanding and perspectives on the role of art in causing desirable societal changes including the upholding of cultural identity and relations, human rights/social justice and economic empowerment for nation building.
Chronology of Lectures
11th Distinguished Lecture (December 14, 2019)
10th Distinguished Lecture (November 15, 2014)
Titled - Art as an Alternative Investment
Delivered by: Mr Oscar Onyema OON, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange
Chaired by: Chief Arthur Mbanefo CON, MFR, FCA
Titled - Informal Art Education through Workshops: Gains and Challenges as Lessons from the Harmattan Workshop Series
Delivered by: Dr Bruce Onobrakpeya MFR
Chaired by: Chief (Mrs) Opral Benson MON, Iya Oge of Lagos
Guest of Honour: Dr Sam Amuka OON, Chairman, Vanguard Media Limited
8th Distinguished Lecture, (November 1, 2011)
Titled - Beyond Two-Dimensional Art
Delivered by: Prof. Jerry Buhari, former Dean, Faculty of Environmental Design, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Chaired by: Apostle Hayford Alile, pioneer Director-General, Nigerian Stock Exchange
Guest of Honour: Mr Pär Lindegärde, Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria
7th Distinguished Lecture (November 24, 2010)
Titled -The Role of Art and Tourism in National Development
Delivered by:His Excellency, Mr. Donald Duke former Executive Governor, Cross River State
Chaired by: Prof. David Aradeon
Guest of Honour: Mr Gbenga Oyebode MFR, Chairman, Access Bank
6th Distinguished Lecture (November 18, 2009)
Titled - Enwonwu: The Responsibility of Privilege
Delivered by: Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN, former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State
Chaired by: HRH, Otunba Adekunle Ojora OFR, CON
Guest of Honour: Dr Sunny Kuku OFR, Olorogun Kuku I of Ijebu Land
5th Distinguished Lecture (November 26, 2008)
Titled - Positioning Arts and Culture for Sustainable Influence in Nigeria
Delivered by: Prof. Freida High, Department of Afro- American Studies, University of Wisconsin, United States
Chaired by: Chief Emeka Anyaoku GCVO, CON, CFR, former Commonwealth Secretary-General
Guest of Honour: His Excellency, Chief Ernest Shonekan GCFR, CBE, former Head of State of Nigeria
4th Distinguished Lecture (October 17, 2007)
Titled - Art as a Tool for Cross-Cultural Development
Delivered by: His Excellency, Dr Christopher Kolade CON, former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
Chaired by: His Excellency, Dr Alex Ekwueme GCON, former Vice President of Nigeria
Guests of Honour: His Excellency, Mr Arie Van der Wiel, The Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Allison Ayida CFR, former Head of the Nigerian Civil Service
3rd Distinguished Lecture (May 2, 2006)
Titled - Art, Tradition and Modernity
Delivered by: Prof. Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate
Chaired by: Chief Phillip Asiodu, CON, Izoma Onyaa of Asaba
Guests of Honour: Chief Tayo Akpata, Ima of Benin, Chief (Mrs) Opral Benson OON, MON, Iya Oge of Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former Executive Governor, Lagos State
2nd Distinguished Lecture (February 23, 2005)
Titled - A Position for Art: Locating Sculpture and its Many Contexts
Delivered by: Prof. John Aiken, Director, Slade School of Art, University College, London
Chaired by: Omo-Oba Oladele Odimayo, Chairman, Ecobank
Guest of Honour: Chief Franklin Ogbuewu, Federal Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Chukwuemeka Chikelu, Federal Minister of Information and National Orientation
1st Distinguished Lecture (February 25, 2004)
Titled - The Place of Creative Art in the History of Man
Delivered by: Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi OFR
Chaired by: Chief Arthur Mbanefo CON, MFR, FCA
Guest of Honour: His Excellency, General Yakubu Gowon GCFR, former Head of State of Nigeria
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