Poignant return to Bradford for former student
Building peace has been a key lifelong commitment for a former University of Bradford student who has made a poignant return to the city to receive a special honour.
It is more than 20 years since Professor Oshita Osang Oshita arrived at the University of Bradford as a Chevening Scholar in the Department of Peace Studies. Chevening Scholarships help people from around the world to study for one-year Masters degrees at UK universities.
He graduated at Bradford with the MA in Peace and Conflict Studies (Merit) in 2004. Oshita was a 2003 distinguished delegate of the Model United Nations in New York, USA.
Tragedy also struck during his time as a student in Bradford as he and his wife Joy lost their baby son, Ochikono, 20 years ago.
Professor Oshita, pictured above, is the Executive Director of Ubuntu Centre for Africa Peacebuilding and Development (UCAP). His roles have also included Director General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Abuja. He has a host of academic qualifications in Philosophy, Environmental Education and Peace and Conflict Studies. He was a Member of the House of Representatives during Nigeria’s Third Republic, between 1992 and 1993.
Prof Oshita has now been made a Doctor of the University - ‘In recognition of their significant contribution to international peace studies and your support in developing links with the University of Bradford.’
He said: “I’m so excited to receive the award because Bradford has touched my life. It is part of the life-changing effect that Bradford has given to me.
“As a graduate of Bradford, my life changed positively. Since leaving Bradford in 2004, I have been connected with classmates and alumni across nearly all seven continents of the world.
Indeed, my 19 years post-graduation experience from Bradford shows that a University of Bradford graduate stands out professionally
He added you never give up as a University of Bradford graduate. Prof Oshita coordinated Nigeria’s first Strategic Conflict Assessment (SCA) in 2002, supported by the UNDP, World Bank, USAID and DfID.
During his ceremony in the university’s Great Hall, Prof Oshita was described as a man with a vision who has grown from a humble beginning in academia to a significant role in the presidency of Nigeria.
He was one of the African Union Commission (AUC) consultants that designed the strategy for the reconstruction, stabilisation and resilience of the terrorism-ravaged Lake Chad Basin in Africa.
Prof Oshita, pictured above, is a Study Group Coordinator at the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), located in the Nigerian capital Abuja. He is fellow of the Society of Peace Studies and Practice (fspsp), the Institute for Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ficmc), and Philosophers Association of Nigeria (fpan).
He is published and has taught in different universities, including the University of Bayreuth, Germany. He holds the Bachelor of Art degree in Philosophy (2nd Upper) of the University of Calabar (Nigeria), MA and PhD in Philosophy from the University of Ibadan (Nigeria).