Ayobami Ojebode, born in Igboora, Nigeria, in 1970. Ph.D. from the University of Ibadan. Associate Professor in Media Studies at the University of Ibadan.
Visiting Grant Scholar (1 September 2011 – 30 November 2011)
CONTESTED TERRAINS: PRESS’, CITIZENS’ AND OFFICIAL MEMORIES OF THE STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA
My work at NIAS was on the collective memories of the struggle for democracy in Nigeria. Collective memories of unarmed resistance have been largely neglected in literature. Using interviews, citizens’ essays and official speeches of the president, my study shows that collective memories are always controversial and instrumentalised no matter the nature, gravity or consequences of the event being remembered.
I came to NIAS with my data — interviews with journalists, presidential speeches and citizens’ essays. While at NIAS, I conducted additional literature review using mainly online sources and then completed my write-up. I gave a five-minute presentation and received useful and encouraging input from colleagues.
Compared with my initial plans, the progress I made at NIAS was good. I achieved all that I set out to achieve. In between working on my main research project at NIAS, I reviewed and resubmitted two papers which I had written and submitted before coming to NIAS. I also began a collaborative study of the normative options for the press in fragile states.
In this blog on the RNW Ayo followed the highs and lows of living in Holland from an African perspective:
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