The speakers (seated) with the scholars at the back
Carleton QES West Africa Conference 2024…….
By Segun Fatuase
Cameroonian Beatrice Eyong, the UN Women’s Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, with over 35 years professional experience in promoting gender equality believes that female representation in political leadership and other spheres is abysmally low. Beatrice Eyong who has also worked as a consultant in different domains of gender for institutions like the University of Laval in Canada, Pan African Institute for development, as well as an agronomist and gender specialist in different development programs funded by the African Development Bank, IFAD and GTZ, stands as a testimony and a fiery voice for women and their rights to equal representation in every sphere of life at any forum where she speaks. Her resonating voice is about taking women beyond the ‘other room’ and turning them to global citizens.
Perhaps taking a developmental cue from her is Claude Winnie Pefolé, an expert in gender issues, specifically women’s rights. A magistrate and PhD candidate in private law at the University of Douala, Cameroon, is a beneficiary of the Carleton QES West Africa Scholarship Program made available to West African women in the final stage of their PhD program, postdoctoral researchers, and early career academics affiliated to institutions. The program provides the expertise, research materials and sundry support as well as the enabling environment for emergent scholars and early career female professionals from West Africa to learn.
Carleton University is a partner in the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship (QES) program, which aims to develop the next generation of global leaders and community builders. The QES program offers a variety of opportunities. The opportunity affords those qualified to participate in a research acceleration experience. One of Claude Winnie Pefolé’s research interests is assessing how gender-specific issues, particularly those concerning women, are considered in Cameroonian legislation. Her stint under the program enabled her to gain insights from an environment known for promoting women’s rights and equality, paving the way for her to learn best practices to propose solutions tailored to her local context.
‘’My expectations as a QES Scholar was the ability to access comprehensive documentation (which is limited in my country ) and this opportunity has enhanced my personal and professional growth , both as a researcher and as a woman’’. Her takeaway from the program has undoubtedly enabled her to develop ‘forward-looking perspectives and proposing ways to enhance the inclusion of women in legislative instruments’
Professor Nduka Otiono
Nduka Otiono, dubbed ‘’Principal of Female Scholars’’, proudly and confidently champions the role of emergent scholars and early career women academics under the Queen Elizabeth Scholars (QES) program. This initiative cuts across the West African region and includes countries like Cameroon, Nigeria, Togo, Benin Republic, Togo etc. The QES scholars affirmed that the program afforded them the required and much-needed intellectual and logistic support. It was also the general opinion of the Speakers at the event that the scholars would benefit more for themselves and the larger society with the benefit of more grant opportunities. Indeed, Knowledge is Power and the more the knowledge, the greater the ability to impact on the scholars’ research efforts for societal benefits. During the recent University of Carleton QES West Africa Conference 2024, which took place in Lagos, Nigeria on October 25, 2024, Prof. Otiono, in his role as the Principal Investigator of the Program, spoke at length about the challenges women face in trying to juggle their studies and role as mothers, particularly their stoic determination to make a mark in
the society. ‘’Those of us who have daughters , wives and female friends have also come to understand the power of women and women have more mental resilience than men and that when it matters most , even if we are men, we are men because we have had mothers, wives and friends. Without them, we won’t be who we are. And so. I want to celebrate you again and just to hear your voices’’.
The need for mental resilience as well as the ability to maintain a work-life balance was also topical in the lecture delivered by Professor Foluke Dada-Lawanson, a lawyer and academic from Caleb University, Imota, Ogun State, who used her personal experience and life story to vividly paint the apt example of how the scholars can rise confidently through their challenges and become forces to reckon with in a male-dominated society.
In a determined pursuit to actualize the Hausa phrase : Wurin ta na yin rubutu (Her own room to write), these emergent scholars and early career women academics, are blending production, reproduction and career to grow into global citizens and become icons like Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chimamanda e
VOICES
Versatile and spritely scholars who participated physically and online included Dr. Sophia Abiri-Franklin, Claude Winnie Pefole, Dr. Rashidat Sumbola Akande ,Helena Osei-Egyir, Mawuenyega Makafui Butu, Dr. Ngueda Djeta Odile Raphaelle, Dr. Oluyemisi Idowu Majebi ,Prof. Jane Ezirigwe, Dr. Adwoa Owusuaa Bobie , Dr. Eugenia A. B. Anderson, Dr. Zainab Musa Shallangwa ,Dr. Stéphanie Boko Agbo, Celina Aju-Ameh , Ijeoma Enendu and Dr. Oluwabunmi Dorcas Bakare-Fatungase.
Dr. Sophia Abiri-Franklin said the experience provided her with invaluable opportunities for personal and professional growth. ’’ I gained exposure to diverse perspectives, expanded my global network, and collaborated with scholars and academics from West Africa, Canada, and Europe. The connection I forged with my placement partner, Ms. Brenda Williams, continues to be a valuable asset. Through this program, I have established a global platform that will undoubtedly benefit my future career endeavors’’.
Dr. Sophia Abiri-Franklin
She became quite emotional listening to her colleagues particularly the francophone ladies who had to tackle the language barrier and visa issues. ‘’I learned about the program through a forwarded message from a mentor abroad. Initially, I was skeptical, as the award offered a fully-funded 2-6 month research trip to Canada worth CAD 30,000. However, after thorough research and consultations with my mentors and the Research Innovation and International Cooperation department at Babcock University, I became convinced of its authenticity. Encouraged by this, I decided to take the leap and submit my application.
‘’Applying for the program was a challenging process due to the absence of a specific template. The extensive documentation and numerous links were initially daunting. However, through diligent research and consultations with my mentors, I was able to tailor my proposal to align with the program’s theme, which ultimately led to my qualification. Securing the visa presented another hurdle. Despite applying in May 2022, the process was significantly delayed, and I did not receive the visa until June 2023. This extended wait period was a frustrating experience’’.
Through all the challenges, Sophia Abiri-Franklin, a legal and governance practitioner, had the prop and support of her mentors, particularly, Professor Dorcas Odunaike of the Department of Private and Commercial Law, School of Law and Security Studies, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo. Her exciting moments came in the course of the programme and she enthused as she relived the moments. ‘’ There were many exciting moments but there are key ones- some of which was when we visited the Consulate Nigerian Canadian embassy. It was a moment of pride, knowing my work all the way from Nigeria will make global impact. I had conversations with Ambassador Adeyinka Asekun and our Principal Investigator – Professor Nduka Otiono and my other Nigerian colleague in the cohort, Dr. Rashida
Akande. It was an eye opening experience I was happy that I got to lend my voice to the issue of business sustainability. We had opportunity as scholars to attend multicultural events. I attended the multicultural annual festival of ACAO; African Canadian Association of Ottawa. I met the key leaders and many Africans in Ottawa and had interactions with them. We met the ACAO executives and had the privilege of attending and contributing in one of their executive meetings. I attended other business networking and community events in company of my placement partner, the executive director of New Life Projects Inc – Ms Brenda Williams together. We celebrated the birthday of two scholars and celebrated the Canada day
at a sumptuous dinner hosted by Prof Nduka Otiono and his lovely wife at their house. We saw the patriotism of Canadians in the flags that were hoisted in almost every home and business and fireworks. We also went on a tour to the Parliament House and museum in Ottawa with Prof Doris Buss, one of our mentors. There was a small village called Wakefield and we went sightseeing there. The grandest was the powerful welcome ceremony organized for the scholars at the Institute of African Studies, Carleton University, we had a book presentation of Winnie, one of our scholars same day and were later hosted to a great lunch by Diane Isabelle at a restaurant at Wakefield and all of us went sightseeing the beautiful village thereafter. The whole experience was a lot and I took the pain to document it’’
For Sophia, a Fellow of Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria; Associate, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK and Notary Public for Nigeria, as well as the Managing Partner of Georgetown Solicitors since 2008, the future looks bright as she is ready to build on the foundation laid through the QES program. ‘’One of my long term goals during the application was to pursue a career as a professor of business and economic sustainability and governance consultant. I wish to be an internationally acclaimed business consultant that can proffer solutions to legal and economic state issues. In realization of my dreams, I recently took up appointment as lecturer/instructor of law in the College of Law, Caleb University, Nigeria where I currently head the Co Law Hub. I was recently appointed the Deputy Director of Endowments, Grants, Linkages and Internationalization of Caleb University, Lagos Nigeria. I intend to use the platform to attract global linkages and collaborations for Caleb University and to pursue community development causes. My life and plans are ultimately in the hands of God, I give Him the glory as I trust him to take charge’’ .
Claude Winnie Pefole
Dr. Rashidat Sumbola Akande of Department of Economics and Development Studies Kwara State University, Ilorin, Nigeria, the QES Project boosted her research capacity because she had access to extensive library resources and gained tremendous mentorship from the expertise of faculty at Carleton University and networking with fellow researchers. She expressed delight with the fact that the program afforded her the opportunity to enhance her research and writing skills without work-related distractions. More cheering to her was that her research on the impact of informality on sustainable development in West Africa was rewarding and she was able to publish her findings in a peer-reviewed journal.
‘’The program gave me a lot of visibility I did not expect. When I was in Canada, my school posted something about the program and it just went viral. People were sending me messages and congratulating me. I found out that there is a lot I still have to do. This program gave me the insight on how I can actually improve. I have the fire in me to do more’’.
Dr.Ngueda Djeta Odile Raphaelle of the Regional Center for Poultry Science (CERSA), University of Lome Togo, focused her research on the use of cassava leaf in poultry feed. Her expectations were how to strengthen and develop her skills as an early career researcher and enhance her academic training and research capacity for better professional integration. ‘’I had the opportunity to increase my essential knowledge and build an extensive professional academic network of contacts. I gained a lot from the QES program’’.
Helen Osei-Egyir’s participation in the QES project contributed to her career growth in three key areas: knowledge, network, and exposure. ‘’The project equipped me with essential knowledge that will influence the timely completion of my PhD and shape my teaching philosophy. I also expect to be exposed to new research methods, techniques, and theories. Additionally, I look forward to connecting with fellow QES scholars and other researchers through social media, conferences, seminars, and research grants, fostering lasting professional relationships for future research collaborations’’. Helen is a PhD candidate in the Department of History and Political Studies at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. She is’ passionate about empowering young people to discover their true selves, I also enjoy singing and documenting events around me. My research focuses on the intersection of gender, education, and environmental history in Asante’.
Professor Jane Ezirigwe , a Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) felt at home from the onset . According to her, ‘’The application process was quite straightforward, with clear instructions. The title of the QES program at Carleton University, “Wurin ta na yin rubutu – Her own room to write,” perfectly resonated with me. The focus on women was particularly appealing, as it aligned with a research area I have been passionate about for some time’’.
‘’Like any journey, there were obstacles along the way. The warmth and hospitality at IAS greatly helped me navigate my challenges. The positive energy was infectious, instilling in me a strong sense of confidence and determination from the outset. Starting the program in winter was particularly tough—the cold made it discouraging to go out every day, but I pushed through, knowing that I was going to a warm and friendly environment. Another significant challenge was ensuring that my research would still align with my career advancement and promotion, especially given the interdisciplinary nature of the fellowship. To address this, I decided to work on my book. I had already secured a contract with Routledge, Taylor & Francis to convert my PhD thesis into a book, but finding dedicated time for this endeavor was difficult. I had to extend my original submission deadline. However, the fellowship provided me with the time, resources, and space to focus, reflect, and refine my work. I’m pleased to share that I have now completed six chapters, and this time, I am confident I will meet the deadline’’.
Her gains through the program were apparent through the many opportunities available. ‘’ I gained valuable connections, learned important lessons, and experienced significant personal and professional growth. I enhanced my skills in networking, interdisciplinary collaboration and leadership.
‘’During the program, I was awarded another prestigious fellowship as the GF Henderson Fellow at the University of Ottawa. In this new role, I am conducting socio-legal research on the rights and conditions of seasonal migrant workers, aiming to inform policy and drive meaningful change In the course of the program, She had the opportunity to present her research to diverse audiences. ‘’I presented my work in Montreal, Ottawa, and various other venues. These experiences enriched my academic journey and expanded my professional network. I had the privilege of presenting several papers, including “Converging Horizons between Canada and West Africa: Connecting Research, Communities, and Ideas to Achieve Gender Equality.” I also presented at the New Directions in African Feminist Scholarship Seminar hosted by the Institute of African Studies. These experiences deepened my engagement with the scholarly community.
‘’I took on leadership roles by serving as a Panel Chair at the Emerging Scholars Conference at Carleton University and as a session moderator at the Canadian Association of African Studies (CAAS) Conference in Montreal. These experiences honed my leadership skills and sharpened my ability to guide discussions to bring out diverse perspectives.
Prof. Jane Ezirigwe
‘’I was one of the few experts selected to participate in the MILA/University of Montreal Summer School on Responsible AI & Human Rights. I was chosen as a fellow at the Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Digital Policy, where I explored cutting-edge issues in AI policy. These expanded my understanding of emerging global issues and enlarged my professional network in profound ways.
‘’One of the most inspiring experiences was participating in Black History Month activities. These events connected me with a dynamic community of change-makers. Engaging in conversations with influential figures, such as the Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada, Hon. Greg Fergus, at the Government of Canada’s Black History Month Celebration, was particularly impactful. It underscored the resilience needed to pursue success and make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. These interactions inspired me to believe that my ambitious goals are not only possible but within reach’’. No doubt, it was an enriching academic, professional and cross-cultural experience for her.
The same goes for Mawuenyega Makafui Butu who is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Development Economics at the University of Ghana. Her career goal to contribute to society through research and academia got the desired boost from the QES Project which provided mentorship, cross-country academic exposure and access to new ideas and opportunities. Additionally, the project paved the way for her to publish and share her findings and connect with other emerging scholars.
Dr. Oluyemisi Idowu Majebi of the Department of Early Childhood and Educational Foundations at the University of Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria also used the opportunity of the QES Project to become a well-rounded researcher. She believes that the experience has broadened her research capabilities, and expanded her professional network. ‘’ The QES program offers an opportunity to further develop my academic and professional skills, especially through collaborations with international researchers. The exposure to cross-cultural exchanges will enhance my ability to engage with communities and deliver impactful work as a teacher, researcher, and mentor’’.
Dr. Oluwabunmi Dorcas Bakare-Fatungase, a Senior Lecturer, Library & Information Science, Department of Information Management, Faculty of Information and Information Sciences at Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria, was able to develop a Graduate Literacy Typology during the QES project. She says she feels inspired as a librarian to use the opportunity as a conduit for information literacy.
‘’ I was perplexed about how to fit Librarianship into the discourse at the Institute of African Studies. Then, I thought the concept of literacy and indigenous knowledge was a great synergy between the two disciplines. Then I sent in the proposal on ‘LITERACY AS THE BEDROCK FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: INFORMATION PROFESSIONALS AS A CHANNEL FOR UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL IN THE NIGERIAN CHILD’. It was a thing of joy for my proposal to have won me the prestigious QES Fellowship. I was the first Librarian to be a QES scholar so it’s a plus for my career advancement and global visibility.
‘’Not being with my family was challenging as I thought the fellowship would accommodate that. So it took a while to settle in well. But the QES Administrator, the PI and other members of the IAS at Carleton, as well as Library staff at St. Paul’s University, were so supportive in all respects.
My system also crashed during this period, and it was as if my whole world caved in. But the situation made me realize that when life throws you a lemon, make a lemonade out of it. I started using my phone as a mini laptop and working virtually round the clock. I can testify that what I achieved during my fellowship is groundbreaking research that I have never experienced in my career. I thank the Private Investigator, Prof Nduka for giving me the platform to write, research and bring out the best I never knew existed in me’’.
Her exciting moments were many and they made her better professionally. In her words, ‘’ Firstly, the day I finished developing the Graduate Information Literacy Framework for graduate students at St. Paul University. I felt so happy to be contributing to the smooth transition of graduate students most especially from Africa into the St. Paul’s University research space and the Canadian research ecosystem. The second was when I made two presentations at the Massey Library, Royal Military College at Kingston 12th February 2024 on the “Research Made-Simple Lab,” where I elucidated the Novice2Expert Research Framework, emphasised the pivotal role of librarians in enhancing students’ information literacy skills across varying proficiency levels. On a subsequent day, February 13th, I presented on Artificial Intelligence (AI) entitled “Staying Ahead of the Digital Curve: Librarians as Panacea of the Generative AI Conundrum”. I explored the intricate dynamics of AI integration within educational contexts specifically Leveraging the Library-AI Handshake Model and the intersection of librarianship with Generative AI. Through the presentation, I elucidated the indispensable roles of librarians in navigating the evolving landscape of AI within educational frameworks, underscoring their fundamental contributions to fostering informed AI discourse and implementation strategies. These models were also presented to the University Librarian of the MacOdrum Library at Carleton University and her Librarian team they testified as an eye opener to the pivotal roles of Librarians within the AI discourse.The third was the day I was sent forth by the Institute of African Studies at Carleton University. It was emotional for me to hear friends and colleagues talking about my relationships with them and the significant impacts I have had on them. I looked back to my first day as a QES scholar and how I had achieved quite a lot beyond my wildest imagination. The slogan for the day was: Bunmi came, she saw and conquered. That was just enough for me’’.
‘’After the fellowship, I have been able to build on the first level of the Library-AI Handshake Model, and the publication is in the offing. The Novice2Expert Research Framework was published by IGI Global Publishers as an Empirical Strategy for a Successful Adoption of AI in Research and Education Novice2Expert Research Framework: An Empirical Strategy for a Successful Adoption of AI (Bakare-Fatungase, O. D., & Ademakinwa, A. O. (2025). This led to the development of the Religion-AI Handshake Model tailored towards Utilizing AI-driven consensus for Accurate Religious Text Interpretation to Mitigate Sectarian Violence in Nigeria. I just developed the BAFFS Model towards ensuring the Digital Wellness Intervention among Undergraduate Students’’.
Dr. Oluwabunmi Dorcas Bakare-Fatungase
What next
The QES project brought out the best in the scholars. Keynote Speaker at the Carleton QES West Africa Conference 2024 in Lagos, Professor Dorcas Odunaike of the Department of Private & Commercial Law, School of Law and Security Studies, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, encouraged the scholars with the words of Maya Angelou, the American memoirist and poet, that they should go beyond mere survival but to “thrive to maintain your status as a QES Scholar with passion, confidence and style”.
She advised the scholars to utilize the training acquired and maintain quality and excellence in their professional work. In her presentation titled Professional Excellence: The Hallmark of a True Scholar, she mentioned the likes of Nobel Laureate Leyman Gbowee, WTO Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Oprah Winfrey and many other inspirational female personalities to buttress the point that women can surmount the societal odds stacked against them and excel.
A scholar, Dr. Eugenia A. B. Anderson, an adjunct lecturer and gender historian in the Department of History and Political Studies at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana, hopes to use her knowledge to contribute to policy-making on gender-based violence and deepen her understanding of contemporary feminism. ‘’Through QES, I want to build lasting relationships with other emerging scholars’’. She also wants to use the QES project to further ‘explore feminist approaches to challenge misogynistic religious texts that perpetuate violence against women, focusing on the intersection of gender, power, and religion in Africa’.
She is now actively involved in empowering women and girls within higher education, religious settings, in her community.
Dr. Zainab Musa Shallangwa , a lecturer in the Department of Fine Arts at the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria, who holds a bi-national doctoral degree from the University of Hildesheim, Germany, and the University of Maiduguri, hopes to build and expand her network . ‘This fellowship provided me the opportunity to step back temporarily from my regular academic duties at my home university and allowed me to focus more fully on my research’. She also hopes to dedicate time to develop a rich and comprehensive manuscript that will benefit her career and positively impact her current and future students .
Award-winning journalist and Media Trainer, Anikeade Funke Treasure, used a dance drama to encourage the QES Scholars. She sang and danced to the Yoruba inspirational song, ’’Bata re a dun ko ko ka’’ (Your shoes will sound well) to demonstrate the point that good results and continued success are expected from the scholars . Her presentation tagged; ” Leveraging the Media To Advertise Research Output’’, advised the scholars to publish their research works in the traditional media and online media platforms like Twitter, Linked-In, Instagram etc to Connect, Collaborate and Communicate their research efforts and themselves to the larger society .
- Segun Fatuase is the Team Lead at www.thenewsturf.com