DU 1st Inaugural Lecture: Professor Jude Mbukanwa advocates for Moral Science in the educational system

The Professor of Ethics and Philosophy of Religious Studies, Faculty of Theology, Dominican University, Samonda, Ibadan, Rev. Fr. Professor Jude O. Mbukanma, advocated for Moral Science as subject in the educational system. The renowned professor said this while delivering his Inaugural Lecture on Wednesday, March 16th at the varsity campus, Samonda, Ibadan

The Inaugural lecture titled; “The Abandonment of Moral Science in the pursuit of natural science Education: The great mistake in the theory of modernization.”

"Let us give Moral Science a priority consideration in our educational system as we cannot expect good behavior if moral isn't in place and note that virtue is teachable and its reward is happiness." He advocated.

The erudite Professor emphasized that the focus on natural science lies in the defect of modern philosophy of education, adding that with technology benefiting from science and getting good results for us, technology can't be lived without.

"Prior to the dominance of technology, human beings were thinkers but today, machine thinks for us. Technology is out to meet the human persons at their point of needs.

"Education in natural science and technology does not result in the production of morally-good people in a political society and does not have miracle of the conversion of human hearts.

"When people lack moral education, they make over and again erroneous judgment in their moral choices and same in political life. However, what is needed to be done to curb human tendency to resort to violence and justify the aggression is simply the teaching of Moral Science in families, society, Political environment and finally in our educational system," He submitted.

Speaking on his Inaugural, he said the duty has been done as he can be very sad if he couldn't do it, adding that who knows when his stay on earth will be over. He however acknowledged God Almighty for the opportunity to deliver his believes on intellectual journey.

On the dwindling academic standard in Nigeria, Professor Jude O. Mbukanma said that people are not patriotic as it is no longer a virtue and people don't like it.

"I think people don't obey the details for moral law within their hearts and what can we do? Nigerians have to love the country to be able to solve the problem and in religion, we have to continue to pray that God should touch the hearts of the leaders to do the right things for the country. Also, if Nigerian government can respect the gift God given to individuals as there is no respect for individual talent and gift," he mentioned.

The varsity Vice-Chancellor, Professor Anthony Alaba Akinwale, in an interview with CEOAFRICA, expressed his joy to have his own teacher to give Inaugural Lecture in the school where he is the current Vice-Chancellor.

"By the Grace of God, this feat has come to stay in Dominican University as many of our Lecturers are working hard doing research and very soon, we will invite CEOAFRICA to more of this Inaugural Lecture.

"It is very imperative to be reminded that the lecture of today challenges us to ensure that we do not separate politics from morality; and if separated, problem will arise in the country," he stated.

Stakeholders, who spoke to CEOAFRICA expressed their joy at the achievement of the first Inaugural lecture in the institution and showered accolades to the Inaugural lecturer, Professor Jude O. Mbukanma; adding that Moral Science can be put in place in the educational system as subject that will be added to the syllabus from Primary school to Secondary and Tertiary levels.

The Dean of Science, Dominican University, Prof. Domingo Okorie stated that Moral Science begins from early childhood as far back as primary school. He added that moral science is a way of bringing science tools to back moral standings, because anything in the present world without scientific evidence is considered obsolete.

The acting librarian Mrs. Blessing Mbah strongly supports that there is the need to inculcate moral awareness from the beginning with children in schools, and is well corroborated by Prof. Francis Offor.

Prof. Kenneth from Library and Archival Science, University of Ibadan expressed his displeasure on how morality is beginning to fade away, whereas this is the bedrock of our society. He went further to state that Moral Science should be properly integrate into the system for orderliness.

Friends and well-wishers were seen bumbling with joy and pride, such as Sis. Mary Sylvan, Mrs Esther Ogunaye, and others, all expressed how excited they were.

Professor Jude O. Mbukanma is the first and current Professor of Philosophy in Dominican University, Samonda, Ibadan. He is not only involved in academic life but also a devoted member of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

The dignitaries in attendance are; the Most Rev Dr, Ayo-Maria Ayoyebi, OP (Emeritus Catholic Bishop of Ilorin), Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ajewole (rep of Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunri – Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan), Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi (Fmr. President of the United Nations Human Rights Council. (19 June 2008 to 18 June 2009), Ambassador Ayo Olukanni (The Director General of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA) Barr. Mutiu Agboke, Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC, Prof. Francisca C. Anyanwu (Kinetic and Health Education), Prof. Oyeniyi Oladepo Patrick (Kinetic and Health Education), Prof. John I. Anetor (Chem. Pathology, University Ibadan), Rev. Fr. Prof. Anselm Jimoh (Ss. Peter & Paul Major Seminary, Ibadan), Pa Modupe Oduyoye (octogenarian polyglot), Prof. Nyitor Shenge (University of Ibadan), Prof. Adenike Ogunshe (University of Ibadan), Prof. P. C. Onianwa (University of Ibadan), Prof. Kenneth Nwalo (University of Ibadan), Rev. Fr. Daniel Iletogbe (Catholic Diocese of Ilorin), Prof. Thomas ’Wole Braimoh (University of Ilorin), Prof. Mrs. Adenike Emeke,OP (Provincial President, Lay Dominican Fraternity), Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Eshikena,OP (Conventual Prior, Dominican Community, Ibadan), Representative of Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Prioress, Dominican Monastery, Ilorin, Professor Isaac Ukpokolo, Professor Francis Offor, Professor Anthony Akinwale, the Vice-Chancellor of the Institution, The Registrar Rev., Kenneth Nkadi OP, Mrs Sybil Uwakwe, the Librarian, Mrs Chigozie Blessing Mba, The Dean of Science, Professor Domingo Okorie, the HOD of Accounting, Dr. Adelekan Saidi Adedeji, Dominican University Lecturers, students, friends, families and well-wishers enlivened the event.