INTRODUCING THE LAGOS (NIGERIA) PRIORY OF THE GUILD OF INDEPENDENT SCHOLAR

 

With the signing, on behalf of the Executive Board and Governing Council of the Guild of Independent Scholars, of the appointment letter by the Chairman of the Guild, Mr. Otto F. von Feigenblatt, the Lagos (Nigeria) Priory of the Guild of Independent Scholars officially came in to being on the 15th June 2009. The establishment of the Lagos Priory is part of the grandiose ambition of the organisation to establish Priories (Branches) all over the world. Through this, it is hoped that the Guild will serve as a platform for scholarly deliberations as well as giving scholars, especially those marginalized by the academic press, the opportunities for their voice to be heard. The Lagos Priory, under the direction of Isiaka Alani Badmus (FJAPSS), is established with the goal of promoting the ideas and ideals of the Guild not only in Nigeria but also in the entire West African sub-region. As an active centre of academic excellence, the Lagos Branch is to encourage and facilitate the understanding of Social Sciences as a broad field of scientific inquiry and as it relates to the issues of conflicts and development. In addendum, the Priory will provide and maintain channels of information and communication and promote the study of social sciences and investigation of social issues by means of seminars, discussions, and lectures. And through publications of books, research reports, etc, the Priory will contribute to knowledge production in the region and the entire world.

 Established with the above goals in mind, the Lagos Branch is in the process of establishing working relations with sister Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), research centres, and academic institutions in West Africa, and serves as a bridge between these institutions/organisations and the Guild of independent scholars headquarters based in Florida (USA).Through encouraging the exchange of scholarly ideas among its members, the Priory hopes to publish members’ research papers through JAPSS publications [at this time the Journal of Alternative Perspective in the Social Sciences (JAPSS); Journal of Asia Pacific Studies (JAPS); Conflict and Development Series; Working Paper/Monograph Series]. Thereby realising one of the dreams of the organisation which is “to give voice to young scholars in the process of making a reputation and international scholars who are marginalized by the dominant center of Anglo-American Academia.” The Lagos (Nigeria) Chapter is expected to hold its first public lecture in Lagos, Nigeria during the first quarter of 2010. Later in the same year, the Chapter will edit a Special Issue of JAPSS and JAPS dealing with civil conflicts in West Africa and Afro-Asia relations respectively.Presently, our Branch has 11 members who are men and women of high intellect from government, business, academic and non-governmental sector, and above all, the members arevery active in the activities of the Priory with the sole objective of promoting the visibility of the organisation

 

A polyglot Nigerian Social scientist, Isiaka Alani BADMUS is currently anAustralian Government scholar in Peace Studies at the University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia where he is conducting a Doctoral Research on International Peacekeeping. Badmus holds a Bachelor’s (B.Sc. [Hons.]) and a Master’s (M.Sc.) degree in International Relations specialising in Africa’s International Relations, Far Eastern Studies [Korea and Japan] from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria and Diplome Pratique de Langue Francaise from Universite de Cocody, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. A Swedish Government [SIDA/SAREC] scholarship allowed him to travel to Sweden where he took a study in Peace and Conflict Research for six months with a Diploma in International Conflict Studies—Regions in Change [Summa cum Laude/Distinction] from Uppsala University, Sweden. Furthermore, he is a recipient of the prestigious Swiss Government [Pro-Helvetia] scholarship to undertake studies in Federalism and Good Governance at the Institute of Federalism of the University of Fribourg, Switzerland [Not utilised]. A Fellow of Transregional Center for Democratic Studies at New School University, New York, USA, Mr. Badmus is also a Law graduate of Nigeria’s premier university, University of Ibadan, where he specialises in International Law of War and Peace [Law of Armed Conflict]. He is a member of the Nigerian Society of International Affairs; Distinguished Fellow of the Journal of Alternative Perspectives in the Social Sciences [USA]; Member, Nonkilling Security and International Relations Research Committee of the US-based Centre for Global Nonviolence, The Right and Honourary Member of the Guild of Independent Scholars (USA); Master of the Lagos (Nigeria) Priory of the Guild of Independent Scholars; Master of the Armidale (Australia) Priory of the Guild of Independent Scholars; Member, Peace and Collaborative Development Network (USA); General Editor of the “Working Paper/Monograph Series” of the Guild of Independent Scholars (Florida), USA; etc and was/is on the Editorial Board of the African Journal of International Affairs and Development [1999-2001], CSSR&D Bulletin [2003]; Journal of Asian Pacific Studies [USA], etc. Mr. Badmus is widely published both within and outside Africa. He is the Author of “Managing Arms in Peace Processes: ECOWAS and the West African Civil Conflicts” (Porto, Portugal: CEAUP, University of Porto, 2009); contributing Researcher to “Alternative Who is Who for Nigeria” (Lagos: CSSR&D, 2006), and Editor of “Intra-State Conflicts in World Politics: Framing the African Experience”. Florida: JAPSS Press, Inc. [Forthcoming in June, 2010]. He has authored numerous articles in major peer-reviewed journals across the world.His forthcoming major study (To be co-authored with Dele Ogunmola and Professor Helen Ware) is titled: [1] “Nigerian Defence Policy and National Security: A Forty Year Appraisal” (To be published in Australia).His other major book projects are tentatively titled: [2] “Putting Guns in Their Place: ECOWAS/Civil Society Organisations Partnership in Securing West Africa”;  [3] “ECOWAS and Conflict Management in West Africa”, [4] Multilateral Diplomacy, Peace Making and the Post-Cold War West African Civil Conflicts, and [5] Alternative Theories of Development and Conflicts [To be co-edited with Otto F. von Feigenblatt and Prof. Dr. Om P. Dwivedi]. Mr. Badmus speaks English and French fluently and passable Spanish and Portuguese and he is currently the University of New England, Australia (UNERS) Scholar. On February 29th, 2009, Mr. Badmus was conferred with the Honourary Citizenship of the Local Government Area of Armidale Dumaresq, New South Wales (NSW), Australia by the Mayor of Armidale Local Government Area Dumaresq, Cr. Peter Ducat.

A Nigerian national, ’Dele Ogunmola is a thoroughbred International Relations specialist with varied experience as a teacher/lecturer, researcher, and administrator.  He is currently Australian Government scholar attached to the Centre for Peace Studies, School of Humanities, the University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia where he is conducting a Doctoral Research on the comparative Perspectives on the Causations of Civil War in West Africa with Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire as Case Studies. He had been a lecturer in International Relations, and French Language and Civilization at Lead City University, Ibadan. An academically inclined professional researcher and multidisciplinary scholar, Ogunmola holds a Bachelor’s (B.A. [Hons.]) degree in French language/Politics and Recent History, and a Master’s Degree in International Diplomacy and Strategic Studies from the Institute of Linguists, London, The United Kingdom and Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria respectively, and Diplôme de Hautes Etudes Française from Alliance Francaise, Paris, France. He undertook a training programme in French teaching and Methodology at the Centre for French Teaching and Documentation, Jos, Nigeria. A French Government scholarship allowed him to travel to France where he took a study in French Language and Literature at the Institut Méditerraneen d’Etudes Françaises, Montpellier, France with a Certificat de Stage. Furthermore, he is a recipient of the prestigious Scholarships (Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship –IPRS; The University of New England Research Scholarship-UNERS-) from the Australian Government and the University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia respectively. He won two scholarships (Keith and Dorothy Mack Kay and James Blythe Short time Travel Scholarships) in 2008 to undertake a fieldwork research in West Africa. He is a member of the Nonkilling Political Science Research Committee of the US-based Centre for Global Nonviolence; Member of the Lagos (Nigeria) Priory of the Guild of Independent Scholars (USA); Member, Peace and Collaborative Development Network (USA); member of the Australian Political studies association, etc. Mr. Ogunmola is widely published both within and outside Africa. His articles have appeared (in English, French, and Portuguese languages) in learned journals. He is currently working on threebook-length manuscripts. A bilingual social scientist, Mr. Ogunmola speaks English and French fluently.

Mrs. Ogbonna-Nwaogu is currently a Course Coordinator in the Political Science Programme, of the School of Arts and Social Sciences, National Open University of Nigeria, Victoria Island, Lagos. Before acceding to the position, Mrs Ogbonna-Nwaogu was with the Centre for Social Science Research and Development (CSSR&D), Lagos, Nigeria where she had worked as a Researcher for five years (2002-2007). While there she was fully involved in the coordination and execution of the research project on “The Understanding and Promoting Positive Leadership in Nigeria”, a nationwide study supported by a grant from Ford Foundation, New York. Mrs. Ogbonna-Nwaogu holds a Bachelor’s (B.Sc. [Hons.]), a Master’s (M.Sc.) degree in Political Science specializing in comparative politics and is presently conducting a Doctoral Research on ‘Media Portrayal of Women and Girls in Communal Conflicts in Nigeria’ at the same institution. Mrs. Ifeyinwa’s articles have appeared in such learned journals as Journal of Social Sciences: Interdisciplinary Reflection of Contemporary Society [New Delhi], India etc;andchapters in numerous scholarly books in Nigeria. She isa contributing Researcher to “Alternative Who’s Who for Nigeria” (Lagos: CSSR&D, 2006) Mrs Ogbonna-Nwaoguhas also presented papers in a number of conferences in Nigeria where she has also served as a discussant and rapporteur. Her current research interests connect various complementary issues ranging from the role of institutionalised structures on citizenship in Nigeria/ Africa, Gender Analysis of governance and development policies on women, girls and children in the family and media reportage in situations of conflict/violence.

‘Demola Victor Akinyoade is an academic—a lecturer/ researcher—in Peace and Conflict and Development Studies, Salem University, Lokoja, Nigeria. He is currently the University Examination Officer, Acting Programme Coordinator of the Peace and Development Studies, Criminology and Penology, and Regional Integration and Diplomacy Programmes. He is a member of numerous committees of the University. A Ph.D. candidate in Peace and Conflict Studies Programme, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, he is a resource person, author, publisher and administrator. He founded a consultancy firm, Helmsman Consult, which focuses on conflict management and business development.‘Demola holds a B.Sc. [Hons.] and M.Sc. Degrees in Geography and Planning Science, and Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Ado-Ekiti and the University of Ibadan respectively. He is a recipient of the research grant from the Programme on Ethnic and Federalist Studies (PEFS) of the University of Ibadan and that of the French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA), Ibadan, Nigeria. Furthermore, he is a recipient of the prestigious Swiss government [Pro-Helvetia] scholarship where he studied Federalism at the Institute of Federalism of the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. In October 2007, he was selected as one of the exceptional 101 Young African Leaders to participate in the 5th African Business Leaders Forum held in Accra, Ghana.The following year he won the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) full scholarship for participation in a Graduate Course (Peace Research) at the 2008 International Summer School of the University of Oslo, Norway. Mr. Akinyoade is a Chartered Mediator and Conciliator (Ch.MC) and member of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators of Nigeria (ICMC). His major general knowledge publications include Peace for All: Citizens’ Empowerment for a Culture of Peace; Peace for All: Corpers’ Sensitisation for a Culture of Peace; Human Networking: Achieving more than you can through the Power of Connections;The Networking Corper; and The Art of Networking for Job.

Mr. UnumerIis a graduate of the University of Lagos, Nigeria and Bradford University, the United Kingdom where he read Demography and Project Management respectively. He is an established author, independent researcher and consultant based in Lagos.Between 2002 and 2006, Mr. Unumeri was the foundation Programme Officer at the Centre for Social Science Research and Development (CSSR&D), Lagos, Nigeria where he executed the research project on “The Understanding and Promoting Positive Leadership in Nigeria”, a nationwide study supported by a grant from Ford Foundation, New York. He has written extensively in the areas of reproductive health, population studies, and the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. He recently consulted for the Conflict Prevention Working Group of the Ottawa-based NGO, Peacebuild. He is widely published in reputable journals.

Mrs. Agbaje is with the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission, Ibadan, Nigeria. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Language and a Master of Science (M.Sc) Degree in International Relations from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria. She has lectured at Houdegbe North America University (Nigeria Campus, Ibadan); Oyo State College of Education, Oyo, Nigeria; and served as Programme Officer, ESC Campus (Now Lead City University), Ibadan, Nigeria. Mrs. Agbaje has done a sizeable number of works on Human Rights and Development in relation to Africa, Women and Gender studies, ECOWAS and West African security.

 

Kate is a graduate of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and Stockholm University, Sweden where she read Political Science. She also studied Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University, Sweden where she specalises in Gender and Armed Conflict. Kate has garnered experience in the non-governmental sector having worked for numerous NGOs in Sweden and the UK. She was the Project coordinator (women empowerment and family support) at the FEDIAP International UK; Assessment officer, Assessment Unit, Croydon Council, London; Billing Administrator,KELLY SERVICES, London. Kate is presently a Programme Officer for STONHAM HOUSING ASSOCIATION, London, UK.

Mr. Okechukwu is currently a PhD candidate in Political Science at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He has lectured in numerous Nigerian institutions of Higher Learning. A mainstream academic, he has published extensively in numerous journals in Nigeria and overseas.

Mr. Jimoh is currently Executive Officer at the Ejigbo Local Government Secretariat, Ejigbo, Osun state, Nigeria. He graduated from the University of Ibadan with a Professional Master’s Degree in Personnel Psychology. He has previously lectured in a number of schools in Nigeria.

Mr. Gbadamosi is currently a PhD candidate in Peace Studies at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He has won numerous academic fellowships and honours, iuncluding the prestigious Swiss government scholarship to study Federalism at the Institute of Federalism of the University of Fribourg, Switzerland in 2008. A Chartered Mediator and Conciliator (Ch.MC) and member of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators of Nigeria (ICMC), he has a couple of publications to his credit.

Mr. Oduwale is a versatile scholar of Accountancy and Business Administration who just completed his MBA programme at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria

 

 

New members are highly welcome as your membership is crucial to the growth of the Priory

This piece is a snapshot of the current state of the Lagos Priory. More detailed information will be provided in the subsequent issues of the Newsletter.

Thank you,

Isiaka Alani Badmus,

Centre for Peace Studies,

School of Humanities,

Faculty of Arts and Science (E 11).

University of New England,

Armidale, NSW 2351,

Australia.

Tel: +61-(2) 67732164 (Office)

+61-403051521 (Mobile)

 

 

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