Benue State University, Makurdi
Centre for Gender Studies
About the Center
Introduction
The Centre for Gender Studies is a research and activity based outfit of the Benue State University, established via a statute in 2001 with the intervention of Food Foundation in collaboration with Social Science Academy. The need to create awareness on gender issues in order to sensitize the society and advocate for equality and equity was the driving force behind the establishment of the Centre. It is also meant to serve as a medium of comprehensive research in gender issues. This means that the Centre serves as a vanguard to initiate research by scholars and development workers on mainstreaming gender in policy, planning and implementation that have direct and indirect impact on development in Benue State and Nigeria in general. Since establishment, both the board of management and the University Senate has given approval to the activities of the Centre which includes research and organization of trainings/workshops among others. These activities revolve around the mission and philosophy of the Centre.
Vision:
A world free of gender biases where men and women are gender sensitive and embrace equality and equity.
Mission:
To improve the lives of men and women through gender based research, training and support for gender sensitive programming in development practice.
Key Objectives:
- 1. To promote academic and professional courses in Gender Studies leading to the award of certificates in the area of Gender Studies.
- 2. To provide such community oriented services as workshop, seminars, conferences or lectures in order to sensitize the University and the host community to Gender Studies.
- 3. To provide the needed knowledge that will enable scholars and students to develop a capacity to show appreciation for issues relating to gender.
- 4. To sensitize the University to and/or initiate the restructuring of curricular to take care of Gender Studies.
- 5. To attract funding from donors to conduct research on gender issues.
- 6. To publish reports, lectures and scholarly papers in gender and gender related topics.
- 7. To maintain resources for and models for excellence in gender-related teaching and research.
- 8. To gather and disseminate information which further deepen the understanding of women and men, from knowledge developed through the Centre’s research and other research findings.
- 9. To encourage and support mainstreaming of gender issues in Benue State University.
Governing Structure
The Centre is overseen by two boards: there is a Board of Management comprising the Vice-Chancellor as chairman, the Director of the Centre, all Deans of Faculties, two members representing Senate. Other members include the Director of Academic Planning, the Registrar, the Librarian and the Commissioner for Women Affairs. There is also the Professional and Academic Board consisting of all academic staff teaching with the Centre, representatives of Post Graduate School and Faculties. The P and A board is chaired by the Director of the Centre.
What We Do
Established as an outlet and space for the University community to access policies, resources and information on gender related issues. Through research, training, sensitization and advocacy, the Centre has helped in shaping community outlook and influenced policies that ensure respect for dignity and human race. In addition, the Centre provide a well-equipped Resource Centre offering on-line resources, books and journals to support staff and students in gender related research and teaching. An inter-disciplinary, curricular adopted by a masters in Gender Studies programme of the Centre helps mainstreaming gender throughout the University system. The Centre moves beyond the University to carry out activities with government agencies, international and non-governmental organizations, primary, post-primary and tertiary institutions of learning with the aim of making the University a pillar in promoting a just and equitable society.
Dr. Becky Aliegba is a seasoned programme officer, trainer and consultant with ten years working experience with Centre for Gender Studies, Benue State University. She also serves as an instructor/facilitator on women and entrepreneurship as well as diverse areas of gender and public policy. This gender advocate has a PhD in political Science and has acquired immense training in gender related areas which include: gender and development, gender and reproductive health and rights, women and entrepreneurship development among others. 
Adagba Okpaga is a Professor of Comparative Politics and Development Studies and is currently the Director of the Centre for Peace and Development Studies at the Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria. He was the former Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and the Head of Department of Political Science in the same University. He attended the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri where he obtained the B.Sc, M.Sc; M.Sc and Ph.D degree specializing in Comparative and Development Studies and Political Philosophy respectively. He is presently undertaking another Ph.D program in History with thesis project on migrations in Africa. Professor Okpaga also attended the State University of New York at Buffalo, NY and the University of South Carolina, Columbia SC where he participated in the Fulbright program in the 1994-95 period. He is the National President of the Nigerian Chapter of the Fulbright Alumni Association of Nigeria. He has published books and has over one hundred articles in National and International Journals. His research interests include, Comparative Politics of Development, African Politics, Politics of Indigenous Societies, Migrations, Political Theory/Philosophy with teaching interests in International Relations, Public Administration, and Research Methodology.
Sr. Cecilia Madu OP is a professional Social Worker and a lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Benue state University. She holds a BA in Theology, MA Theology and Msc Social Work from Dominican University Chicago and St. Louis University, St. Louis respectively. She presently lectures in the Department of Sociology and doubles as the Research and Training Officer at the Centre for Gender Studies, Benue State University Makurdi. 
Emmanuel Dondo Anule holds a Bachelor of Science (Education) Degree in Statistics/Computer Science from The University of Agriculture, Makurdi. He has also obtained training in various aspects of Project management. His core competences and interests include; ICT administration, programme facilitation, Community mobilization and entrepreneurship development. He has held various positions such as ICT Café’ Adminstrator, Class Teacher and volunteer counsellor. He is currently the Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E) Officer with Emmanuel Teryila Memorial Liberty Foundation engaged on the project titled Sustainabe Mechanism for Improving Livelihoods and Empowerment (SMILE), a USAID funded project supported by Catholic relief Services (CRS).
Nick Agule is a Chartered Accountant and Management Consultant with over 25 years’ experience in academics and industry. He holds a Masters in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting both from the University of Benin and has successfully completed a Foundation Degree in Pastoral Ministry at the St Mary’s University London. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and a graduate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. In the course of his career where he worked in four continents, he served in senior management positions where he managed and mentored employees across the world accompanying them in their journey of discovery of self, personality development, self-concept, self-esteem and emotional intelligence. He currently works with the Lux Terra Leadership Foundation where he plans and delivers training/workshops on psycho-spiritual therapy. He has attended several management and leadership development programmes locally and abroad. He is widely travelled visiting over 30 countries and still counting. His hobbies including volunteering where he served as a games maker at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow receiving recognition from the British Prime Minister. He also served on the governing board of a West London school for six years where he sat on the Head teacher performance review committee. He is married with children.Quick Access
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Benue State University Alumni: Registration form for Benue State University Alumni membership
