The Urhobo Patriotic Movement (UPM) has congratulated renowned scholar, Professor Sunny Jijhevwwe Awhefeada, on the successful delivery of the 117th Inaugural Lecture of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, describing the feat as a landmark in intellectual and cultural scholarship.
Professor Awhefeada, a Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors (FANA) and member of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (MNAL), delivered the lecture titled “The Literature of Our State: An Evolutionary Engagement with Modern Nigerian Literature.”
In a statement issued on Monday, the UPM said the lecture was a powerful affirmation of academic excellence, cultural depth and scholarly leadership, noting that it reflected decades of sustained research and intellectual commitment.
The group said the lecture reinforced the place of Urhobo thought, creativity and cultural identity within the broader Nigerian and African literary space, while projecting DELSU as a hub of serious intellectual discourse.
“We are particularly proud that an Urhobo son continues to shape national discourse through scholarship, mentorship and cultural advocacy,” the statement read.
According to the movement, the milestone underscores Professor Awhefeada’s enduring commitment to knowledge, excellence and the preservation and evolution of literary heritage, adding that his work continues to inspire a new generation of scholars and writers.
The UPM described the inaugural lecture as a fitting tribute to the professor’s towering contributions to African literature and intellectual leadership, while wishing him greater strength and inspiration in future academic pursuits.
