By Our Correspondent
Dr Katumusiime Jacob of Makerere and Institute of Social Research (MISR) in Kampala, Uganda, has clinched the first position for the 2024 Rahamon Bello Best PhD Thesis Award.
TheNewsZenith reports that the Institute of Africa and Diaspora Studies (IADS) at the University of Lagos organised the award, the fifth in the series.
Director of the IADS, Prof. Olumuyiwa Falaiye, announced the award recipient to newsmen in Lagos.
Falaiye explained that the institute submitted 56 PhD theses, from diverse institutions and backgrounds on the continent, were submitted for evaluation.
These entries were further reduced to 26 and eventually the best three.
The award-winning thesis is entitled: “Beyond Religio-Cultural Violence: A Historico-Political Re-contextualisation of the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God”. (Nov. 2023).
He said Katumusiime, a post-doctoral Research Fellow of the MISR in Uganda, would be honoured with a prize money of $1000 in cash.
The winner will also receive a plaque and other opportunities attached to the feat.
Speaking further, Falaiye said the second position, also endowed by Rahamon Bello associates and friends, went to Raheem Oluwafunminiyi Wasiu.
“His PhD thesis “A History of Sacred Water Bodies (Holy Wells) In Yorubaland Up to 2016″.
“Raheem submitted the thesis to the Department of History and International Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ilorin in Kwara.
“The study is a clear analytical history of sacred water bodies (holy wells) in Yorubaland with rich and elegant work on an under-appreciated theme,” Falaiye said.
He said that Raheem, currently lecturing at the Department of Tourism Studies, Osun State University in Osogbo, would receive a $300 cash award, a plaque and a certificate.
The third position for the best PhD thesis went to Oshodi Kafayat Omowonuola.
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The title of the thesis is: Spousal Development and Perceived Perinatal Risks Experience Among Army Personnel Wives in Selected Barracks in the Southwest, Nigeria.
Oshodi received a cash prize of $200, a plaque and a certificate as well.
Falaiye noted that independent accessors outside the continent described the three theses as fascinating and technically sound.
“The assessors said the awards will serve as a platform to further highlight the established tradition of rewarding hard work and intellectual excellence.”
He explained that the methodology was one of the criteria for selecting the theses.
“After six weeks of rigorous assessment by our assessors, they arrived at the winners for this year.
“It is a yearly event by a one-time vice chancellor of this university, Prof Rahamon Bello and his friends.
“The purpose of this event is to honour cutting-edge research written by early career scholars, through their PhD across Africa,” TheNewsZenith quotes Falaiye as saying.
He, however, identified inadequate funding as one of the challenges facing researchers.
The director called for financial support from both the government and corporate organisations.
This is in a bid to enhance research works, for the development of nations and the benefit of mankind.
Falaiye said the IADS has fixed Dec. 5, to present the awards to the winners.
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