Wole Adedoyin interviews Eke Kingsley: Universities Should Advance Human Rights Through Teaching, Research, and Student Engagement

WA: CAN YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR ACADEMIC BACKGROUND?
EKE: I am Eke Kingsley Chibuike from Enugu State. I am a poet and playwright, and a student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where I study Linguistics.

WA: HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS INTER-UNIVERSITY ESSAY COMPETITION?
EKE: A friend informed me about it, and I also saw the announcement on Facebook.

WA: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COMPETITION?
EKE: I was inspired to participate because of my passion for human rights issues affecting communities in Africa. I wanted to explore these issues more deeply through research and writing, and to contribute meaningfully to discussions on promoting and protecting human rights.

WA: WHAT SPECIFIC HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE DID YOU ADDRESS IN YOUR ESSAY?
EKE: My essay focused broadly on human rights and social justice, highlighting key issues and strategies for protecting and promoting human rights as a pathway to achieving social justice in society.

WA: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PARTICULAR TOPIC?
EKE: I chose this topic because human rights are fundamental to ensuring dignity, equality, and fairness for all individuals in society.

WA: CAN YOU SUMMARIZE THE KEY ARGUMENT OR MESSAGE OF YOUR ESSAY?
EKE: In my essay, I discussed key human rights issues that affect social justice, including equality, access to justice, and dignity for all. I also proposed solutions such as increasing awareness, strengthening legal protections, and promoting community engagement. The central message is that addressing human rights issues through practical solutions is essential to achieving social justice.

WA: HOW DID YOUR ACADEMIC STUDIES INFLUENCE THE APPROACH YOU TOOK IN WRITING YOUR ESSAY?
EKE: My studies in the Arts and Humanities greatly influenced my approach. They exposed me to theoretical frameworks on human rights and social justice, helping me to critically analyze issues, identify solutions, and understand their impact on society.

WA: WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU ENCOUNTER WHILE RESEARCHING OR WRITING YOUR ESSAY?
EKE: One major challenge was balancing the breadth of human rights issues with the need for depth in analysis. Accessing up-to-date and relevant data on human rights challenges in specific African contexts was also difficult. Narrowing such a broad topic required careful focus.

WA: HOW HAS PARTICIPATING IN THIS COMPETITION SHAPED YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES IN AFRICA?
EKE: The competition deepened my understanding of the complexities surrounding human rights in Africa. It highlighted the need for continuous advocacy and action to ensure that human rights are respected and upheld across diverse contexts.

WA: IN YOUR OPINION, HOW IMPORTANT ARE ACADEMIC COMPETITIONS LIKE THIS IN RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS?
EKE: Academic competitions are very important. They raise awareness, encourage critical thinking, and foster student engagement on human rights issues across Africa.

WA: DID THE COMPETITION ENCOURAGE YOU TO THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT THE ROLE OF STUDENTS IN ADVANCING HUMAN RIGHTS CAUSES?
EKE: Yes. It showed me that students can play a significant role through research, awareness creation, and advocacy. Students can meaningfully contribute to discussions and actions that drive positive change.

WA: WERE THERE ANY ENTRIES OR TOPICS FROM OTHER PARTICIPANTS THAT PARTICULARLY RESONATED WITH YOU?
EKE: No, none in particular.

WA: HOW DO YOU PLAN TO USE THE KNOWLEDGE GAINED FROM THIS COMPETITION MOVING FORWARD?
EKE: I plan to continue engaging with human rights issues through further research and involvement in initiatives that promote human rights and social justice. I hope to apply what I have learned in practical ways within my community and beyond.

WA: WHAT ROLE DO YOU BELIEVE UNIVERSITIES SHOULD PLAY IN PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION ACROSS AFRICA?
EKE: Universities should advance human rights education through curriculum integration, research, and extracurricular activities that foster awareness and advocacy.

WA: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE COMPETING WITH STUDENTS FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE CONTINENT?
EKE: It was an enriching experience that exposed me to diverse perspectives on human rights issues. Engaging with students from different backgrounds broadened my understanding and motivated me further.

WA: WHAT IMPACT DO YOU HOPE YOUR ESSAY WILL HAVE ON READERS AND POLICYMAKERS?
EKE: I hope my essay raises awareness about the link between human rights and social justice. For policymakers, I hope it underscores the importance of incorporating human rights considerations into policy decisions to ensure dignity and fairness for all.

WA: HOW DO YOU THINK YOUNG AFRICAN SCHOLARS CAN CONTRIBUTE MORE EFFECTIVELY TO THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS?
EKE: Through research, advocacy, community engagement, and the use of various platforms to raise awareness.

WA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FUTURE ENTRANTS OF THIS COMPETITION?
EKE: Choose a topic you are passionate about, conduct thorough research, clearly articulate your arguments, and propose practical solutions. Meaningful engagement with human rights issues makes a strong entry.

WA: BEYOND WRITING, IN WHAT OTHER WAYS DO YOU ADVOCATE FOR OR SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
EKE: I support human rights through discussions, awareness-raising activities, and volunteering with groups that promote dignity and equality. I actively seek opportunities to contribute positively.

WA: WHAT ARE YOUR ACADEMIC OR CAREER ASPIRATIONS AFTER THIS COMPETITION, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO HUMAN RIGHTS?
EKE: I aspire to continue engaging with human rights and social justice, possibly through further studies or a career in law or international relations. My goal is to make a positive impact on human rights in Nigeria and across Africa.

Eke Kingsley is a gifted poet and playwright whose words weave vibrant tapestries of imagination and insight. With a pen that dances across the page, Kingsley crafts stories and verse that explore the human experience, revealing the beauty, complexity, and depth of life. Through his writing, he invites readers on journeys of self-discovery, empathy, and understanding. A masterful storyteller with a passion for the power of language, he speaks in this interview with Wole Adedoyin on human rights, education, and advocacy.