The University of Ibadan inaugural lectures has come and gone and it was indeed a huge success. Professor Ogbogbo wasted no time in dealing with the matter at hand – “In Defence Of Tradition”.

In his words, “to ignore tradition is to ignore history and this will be at the peril of the society, group or individual. It is therefore suffice to say that we risk forgetting who we truly are if we don’t carefully guide our tradition from going extinct in our quest for change and development.

According to him, tradition is a product of change – a change that is not abrupt, but a product of status quo.

He opined that various aspects of our national life are in disarray because we recklessly abandoned our traditions.

Tradition he said, need be an impediment to development and progress, on the contrary for change to be meaningful, it should be anchored on tradition, and else it becomes disruptive.

Professor Ogbogbo submitted that it is from tradition that we derive our history, our essence as a people and therefore, the need to preserve it cannot be overemphasized.

He also lauded the works of Ibadan scholars especially the History department, noting that for the fact that the department has produced the highest number of Vice Chancellor for the university says a lot.

The lecture which was chaired by the Vice Chancellor University of Ibadan, Prof. A.I Olayinka also had in attendance the university Registrar, Dean of faculties, Council members of the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN), family and friends, students and the general public.