The Institute of African and Diaspora Studies (IADS), University of Lagos (UNILAG) has announced Jacob Katumusiime, of the Institute of Social Research, Makerere University, Kampala, as the winner of the 2024 Rahamon Bello Best Ph.D. Thesis Award in African Studies.
The Director of the Institute, Professor Muyiwa Falaiye, made the announcement on Thursday, November 28, 2024 at the J.P. Clark Building of the Institute.
Jacob Katumusiime, from Uganda, is the first non-Nigerian winner of the Award since its inception five years ago. He emerged winner for his Ph.D. thesis, titled: “Beyond Religio-Cultural Violence: A Historico-Political Recontextualisation of the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God.”
Wasiu Oluwafunminiyi Raheem of the Department of History & International Studies, University of Ilorin, Nigeria emerged the 1st Runner-Up for his thesis titled “A History of Sacred Water Bodies (Holy Wells) in Yorubaland Up to 2016”.
Oshodi Kafayat Omowonuola of the Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, finished 2nd Runner-Up with her thesis titled, “Spousal Deployment and Perceived Perinatal Risks Experiences Among Army Personnel Wives in Selected Barracks in the Southwest, Nigeria”.
According to the Director, a total of fifty-eight (58) submissions was received from universities and research institutes across Africa. Out of this number, and from a shortlist of twenty-six (26) submissions, the top three theses were selected by a three-man assessment team of experts. They are: Professor Olutayo Adesina of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and University of Manchester, United Kingdom; Professor William Gallois of the University of Exeter, United Kingdom; and Professor Sarah Ssali of the University of Makerere, Uganda.
The official presentation of the Award is scheduled for Thursday, December 5, 2024 at the IADS Gallery, J. P. Clark Building.
The Rahamon Bello Best PhD Thesis in African & Diaspora Studies Award was established to promote the development of in-depth and targeted contemporary scholarship in African Studies that advances the theoretical and practical limits of academic research. Furthermore, the award, endowed by the person for whom it is named, seeks to honor the 11th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Rahamon Bello, for his generous support for the promotion of African Studies.
REPORT: Isaiah Kumuyi
PHOTOGRAPH: Michael Joshua
