The University of Port Harcourt’s 199th inaugural lecture series took place recently at the university’s Centre of Excellence auditorium, with Professor Mary Paschal Iwundu delivering a compelling presentation that called for statistics to be made a compulsory course across all university disciplines.
Prof. Iwundu, a distinguished scholar and Professor of Statistics, described statistics as “the heartbeat of modern civilisation,” emphasising its importance in governance, credible research, and ethical decision-making. Her lecture, titled “The Man in the Neighbourhood,” was attended by a packed audience comprising scholars, students, family members, and guests from diverse walks of life.
In her closing remarks, Prof. Iwundu made a bold statement that drew widespread attention, saying, “God loves statistics and those who love God must love statistics.” She argued that statistical literacy is not only beneficial but spiritually and socially essential in today’s data-driven world.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, who was present at the event, commended Prof. Iwundu for what he described as a “five-star performance.” He noted that the lecture was both intellectually rich and publicly engaging, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to academic excellence.
The event also featured ceremonial formalities and saw the gathering of university dignitaries and guests in academic regalia, adding colour to the intellectual occasion. Prof. Iwundu’s advocacy comes amid growing calls for data science and quantitative reasoning to play a central role in tertiary education across Nigeria.
The University of Port Harcourt continues its tradition of inaugural lectures as a platform to showcase scholarly thought leadership, with each lecture contributing to public discourse and national development.