Former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd).
By Dianabasi Effiong
Former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd), will speak on the topic “Insecurity: Bane of Nigeria’s Unity and Progress” at this year’s edition of the Maris Annual Public Service Lecture, in Asaba.
The Secretary of the Maris Trust Council (MTC), organisers of the annual lecture series, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, made this known in a statement in Asaba on Tuesday.
According to him, positive reactions have trailed the announcement of Gen. Irabor as the keynote speaker.
He stated that, given the response, it was evident that the public would likely have the opportunity to interact with key players from Nigeria’s theatre of war during the lecture.
Egugbo said, ”Insecurity is a topic that is often discussed in hushed tones, even though it is everyone’s responsibility.
“As such, the Maris Trust Council (MTC) is pleased that the keynote speaker for this year’s Maris Annual Public Service Lecture, Gen. Lucky Irabor, will speak on the topic ‘Insecurity: Bane of Nigeria’s Unity and Progress’.
”Gen. Irabor, as a former theatre commander who was at the forefront of the battle against Boko Haram and who rose to the position of Chief of Defence Staff before his retirement is one of the most qualified persons to speak on this subject.”
Maris Lectures are held every Wednesday before Easter Sunday.
“This year’s edition shall take place on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at noon prompt.
”The Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who is committed to promoting peace in Delta State and Nigeria in general, has again, approved the use of the prestigious Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, as the venue for the lecture.
”Previous keynote speakers at Maris Lectures include the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D, who spoke on ‘Effective Tax Administration for the Delivery of Democratic Dividends’; Rt. Hon. Festus Ovie Agas, who spoke on ‘Selfless Service: A Phenomenal Virtue’; Prof. Chinye Chiemeke (‘Flight of Talents: Navigating Nigeria’s Brain Drain Predicament’); Chief Williams Makinde (‘Managing Post-Election Challenges: Nigeria as a Case Study’); Sir Fidelis Okenmor Tilije (‘Provision of Infrastructure as a Catalyst for the Growth of Democratic Governments’); and Sir Patrick Ejidoh (‘Local Governance and Sustainable Development’).
”Several prominent personalities will play key roles as Special Guest of Honour, Guest of Honour, Chairman of the Occasion, Father of the Day, Mother of the Day, Discussants, and Moderator.
”In the coming days, we shall unveil these personalities, as this year’s lecture has been described in some political circles as a ‘security summit ahead of the 2027 general elections.’
”We are grateful to Gen. Irabor for agreeing to be the keynote speaker. We also thank those who worked behind the scenes to suggest topics and speakers; by the close of nominations on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, 64 topics had been received and 33 prominent Nigerians had been suggested as keynote speakers.
”Once again, the MTC thanks the public for accepting the Maris Annual Public Service Lecture as a platform to proffer solutions to society’s challenges,” Egugbo stated.
