By Flowerbudnews
The 165th Inaugural Lecturer of the University of Calabar, Prof. Godwin Oko Ushie, has charged leaders at all levels not to drown their intentions with words or deceive the people with words.
Prof. Ushie gave the charge while delivering the University’s 165th Inaugural Lecture at the Godswill Akpabio International Conference Centre, Unical, on the topic, “Honey, Vinegar & Miasma in Words: Wording and Realities in the Spatio-Temporal and Spiritual Cosmos.”
The Professor of Stylistics, Department of English and Literary Studies said words carry power to heal or to harm, to build or to destroy, and therefore leaders must ensure that their words reflect sincerity, truth and genuine commitment to the welfare of the people.
He also called on preachers to match their teachings and sermons with character consistent not only with their words, but also with the standard of God.
According to him, when words are not matched with action and character, they become mere noise that breeds distrust, confusion and moral decay in society.
Prof. Ushie said to get things done administratively and achieve set goals in society, speakers should strive to match their words with the right body language, and match their stated goals with actions.
He cautioned that words should not be deployed glibly and without precaution, because men shall give account of them, adding “for with our words, we shall be justified, and with our words, we shall be condemned.”
He therefore urged leaders, preachers and all speakers to speak with intentionality, truth and responsibility, so that their words would produce honey and not vinegar in society.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Ekaete Enang, congratulated Prof. Ushie on the successful delivery of the lecture, describing it as timely, thought-provoking and deeply relevant to leadership and national life.
Prof. Offiong said the University Management was proud of the depth of scholarship demonstrated by the Inaugural Lecturer, noting that the lecture had challenged leaders, preachers and all users of language to be more sincere and responsible in their utterances.
He assured that the University would continue to provide the enabling environment for scholarship to thrive, while urging staff and students to draw useful lessons from the lecture and apply them in their daily lives.
Highpoint of the lecture was the presentation of a memento to the inaugural lecturer by the Deputy Vice Chancellor on behalf of the Vice Chancellor.
Public Relations Unit
