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Dr. (Mrs.)

OKOLO-NWAKAEME, Marystella Chika 

Scopus

Short Profile

MSC Okolo studied Philosophy at the Universities of Calabar and Ibadan.  She is the author of African Literature as Political Philosophy (2007), Philosophy: Contemporary Concerns in Africa (2015), Winds on my Mind [1996] (2016), Gates of Dawn (2016), Memoirs of an Exiled Girl (2016), Contesting the African Public Sphere (2018), Mist (2023) and a co-author of Essentials of Communication in English for Nigerian Universities (2013). She has contributed to many short story and poetry anthologies and academic journals and books. Her short story ‘Those Days’ won the Second Prize, Liberty Merchant Bank Prize for Short Stories Competition in 1998, while her Gates of Dawn was shortlisted for 2017 Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA)/Abubakar Gimba Prize for Short Stories.  Okolo’s research interests include Philosophy and African literature, Language, and African identity. She is a fellow of the Civitella Ranieri Center in Umbertide, Italy and the recipient of CODESRIA Doctoral Prize for Africa in 2005.

a. Ph.D Philosophy 2004

b. PGD Public Relations 1999

c. M.A. Philosophy 1994

d. B.A. Philosophy 1989

a. Okolo, MSC. Understanding Gender discourse in Africa through African
literature: A Philosophical Reflection 2023

b. Okolo, MSC. Gender Issues in African literature: A Philosophical
Evaluation
2023
c. Okolo, MSC. Understanding Conflict, Violence and War in Africa
through African literature: A Philosophical Reflection. 2023

d. Okolo, MSC. The Importance of PRisation of Security: A Philosopical
review. 2023

e. Okolo, MSC and Ezenandu, P.E. Language and Identity in Africa: A
Philosophical Reflection. 2022

f. Okolo, MSC. African Philosophy and African Literature 2022

g. Okolo, MSC. Chinua Achebe: A Biography 2022

h. Ezenandu P.E and Okolo, MSC. Pan-Africanism and linguistic Pluralism
in sub-Sahara Africa. 2019

a. Presidential Award for Commitment to Capacity Building of
Students and Immense Contribution to Students’ Academic
Development, Nigerian Association of Agricultural Students,
FUNAAB 2015

b. Award of Excellence for Outstanding Commitment and
Parental care, Yomfield Nur/Pry School, Abeokuta 2014

c. Laureate, CODESRIA Interventions Series
Essay Competition 2008

e. CODESRIA Prize for Doctoral Thesis for Africa 2005

f. Winner, UNESCO-Aschberg Bursaries for Artists 2005

g. Second Prize, Liberty Merchant Bank Prize for Short Stories
Competition 1998
h. Staff of the Season Award, The Source Magazine, Lagos 1997

i. Sports Lady of the Year, University of Calabar 1989

j. Best Hall Sports Coordinator, University of Calabar 1988

COLLAMRUD College Representative on COLPHYS COLLEGE BOARD

a. Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).

b. Civitella Ranieri Fellow, Italy.

c. Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA).

d. Faculties of Arts/Humanities Scholars Association of Nigerian Universities (FAHSANU).

e. Association of Philosophy Professionals of Nigeria (APPON).

1. International Humanities Conference 2023 on “New Theories of Africa: Diversities, Divergencies, Dreams.” Organised by Faculty of Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. July 16-20, 2023.
Paper Read: Gender Issues in African Literature: A Philosophical Evaluation.

2. Okolo, MaryStella Chika. (2023). One day Hybrid International Multidisciplinary Conference on “Emerging Trends & Challenges in Humanities, Education, Science and Social Sciences. Organised by Gandhi Memorial National College, Ambala Cantt., India in collaboration with International Council for Education, Research Training (ICERT). March 25.
Paper Presented: The Need for a Philosophical Reading of African Literature.

3. Okolo, MSC. (2022). 2022 National Conference on Philosophy and the Re-making of the Nigerian Nation. Organised by Association of Philosophy Professionals of Nigeria in collaboration with the Department of Philosophy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. December 7-10.
Paper Read: Re-making the Nigerian Nation: A Philosophical Reflection

4. Okolo, MSC & Ezenandu, P.E. (2022). International Conference on Decolonising
the Humanities in the African Academy. Organised by the Faculty of Arts, Obafemi
Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. October 23-26.
Paper Read: Language and Identity in Africa: A Philosophical Reflection.

5. Okolo, MSC (2022). Two day Hybrid Conference on African Philosophy. The Genre of Reality: Conflicts, Violence, and War in Africa. Organised by Centre of Bayreuth, Germany and Centre of Global Studies, Institute of philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic. June 14-15.
Paper Read: Understanding Conflict, Violence and War in Africa through African Literature: A Philosophical Reflection.

6. Okolo, MSC, Ezenandu, P.E & Alor, E.R. (2022). 5th Pragmatics Association of Nigeria International Conference and Workshop on Pragmatics of
(Mis)Representation in Human Communication. Organised by University of
Nigeria Nsukka. May 10-13.
Paper Read: Interrogating Communication: A Philosophical Reflection on
Words, Meaning and Intention.

7. Okolo, MSC & Eke, H. (2022). 4th FAHSANU Online International Conference.
Arts/Humanities and Critical Thinking amid COVID-19 Pandemic. Organised by Faculties of Arts/Humanities Scholars’ Association of Nigerian Universities. January 25-26.
Paper Read: COVID-19 and Critical Thinking: A Philosophical Reflection.

8. Okolo, MSC (2021). Two day Hybrid Conference on Humanising the Sciences. Organised by HUSCON and The Department of Communication and General Studies, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. August 10-11.
Paper Read: Humanising the Sciences through Socratic Method.

9. Two day Online Conference on African Philosophy. The Genre of Reality: African Philosophy in the Covid-19 Crisis. Organised by Centre of Global Studies, Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic, and the Centre of African Philosophy, University of Bayreuth, Germany. June 15-16, 2021.

10. Okolo, MSC (2020). An Online International Conference on Humanities Scholarship and the Social Environment. Organised by the Faculties of Arts/Humanities Scholars’ Association of Nigerian Universities (FAHSANU). October 9.
Paper Read: Understanding Social Environment through African Literature: A Philosophical Re-imaging of Shanty Town.

11. Online Conference on Africa in a Cosmopolitan and Polycentric World. Violence, Conflict Mediation, and Peace Building Dynamics. Organised by Centre of Global Studies, Institute of Philosophy, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic. June 15-16, 2020.

12. Okolo, MSC & Nwaorgu O.G.F. (2019). Nigerian Philosophical Association Annual International Conference on Philosophy and the state of Nigerian Nation: The fears, the tears and the triumphs. Held at Benue State University, Makurdi, October 16-19.
Paper Read: Understanding Leadership, Governance and National Development through African Literature: A Philosophical contribution.

13. Okolo, MSC (2019). A 2-Day International Conference on Africa in a Polycentric World: The African Youth and Civil Society organised by Centre of Global Studies, Institute of Philosophy, and School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Held at Centre of Global Studies, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic. June 17-18.
Special Guest and Keynote Speaker: Understanding the Philosophy
of Africa in a Cosmopolitan and Polycentric world through language.

14. Ezenandu, P.E. & Okolo, MSC (2019). A 2-Day International Conference on Pan Africanism and the forging of a new African Identity in the 21st Century organised by Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Lagos and the Department of History and Diplomatic Studies, University of Abuja, Nigeria. Held at International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, Nigeria. June 17-18.
Paper Presented: Pan-Africanism and linguistic Pluralism in sub- Sahara Africa.

15. Okolo, MSC (2019). A 4-Day International Conference on Gender and the Actualization of the SDGs: The African Experience organised by Centre for Gender and Social Policy Studies. Held at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. May 12-15.
Paper Read: Understanding Gender and Repression through the experiences of women in African Literature: A Philosophical Contribution.

16. Okolo, MSC & Nwaorgu, O.G.F. (2017). An International Conference on General Studies Programme: Relevance for National Development. Held at Redeemer’s University, Osun State. May 30-31.
Paper Read: The Nexus between Logic and General Studies.

17. Okolo, MSC (2017). An International Commonwealth Commemoration Conference on A Peace-Building Commonwealth. Held at University of Doula, Cameroon. March 13-18.
Paper Read: Colonial Legacy and Brittle Peace: A Philosophical Reading of
Achebe’s There was a Country.

18. Nwaorgu, O.G.F., Ojukwu C.C. & Okolo, MSC (2016). Nigerian Philosophical Association (NPA) Biennial International Conference. Held at University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. October 27-28.
Paper Read: Philosophy and Nation Building.

19. Okolo, MSC (2008). First International Colloquium for CODESRIA Interventions Series Essay Competition on Decolonising the Social Sciences in Africa: The Unfinished Agenda organised by the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA). Held at Hotel Ndiambour, Dakar, Senegal. May 7-9.
Paper Read: Responding to the Imperatives of Decolonizing the Social
Sciences in Africa: A Philosophical Contribution.

20. Okolo, MSC (2008). CODESRIA 12th General Assembly. Held at Yaounde, Cameroun, 2008. December 7-11.
Paper Read: Contesting the African Public Sphere: A philosophical Re- Imaging of Power and Resistance in Ngugi’s Wizard of the Crow.

21. Okolo, MSC (2005). CODESRIA 11th General Assembly on Rethinking African Development: Beyond Impasse, Towards Alternatives organised by CODESRIA. Held at Joaquim Chissano International Center, Maputo, Mozambique. December 6-10.
Paper Read: Reassessing the impact of Colonial Languages on the African
identity for African development.

a. Okolo, M.S.C. (2004): Exploring Literature as Political Philosophy through a Comparative Study of Chinua Achebe and Ngugi wa Thiong’o. Unpublished Ph.D Thesis, Department of Philosophy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

b. Okolo, M.S.C. (1994). Ontology and the Verification Principle. Unpublished M.A. Dissertation, University of Calabar, Calabar.

Journal Articles in Print
1. Okolo, MaryStella Chika. (2023): The need for a Philosophical Reading of African Literature. Edumania – An International Multidisciplinary Journal. 1(2):244-258.
Published by International Council for Education Research and Training (ICERT). ISSN: 2960-0006. DOI:https://doi.org/10.59231/edumania/8987

2. Okolo, MSC., (2023): Poetry in African Society: A Philosophical Reflection. Sapienta Journal of Philosophy. 18:114-122.
Published by the University of Uyo. ISSN: 1595-4943.

3. Okolo, MSC, (2023): Re-making the Nigerian Nation: A Philosophical Reflection. APPON Philosophical Quarterly. 2(1):55-67.
Published by the Association of Philosophy Professionals of Nigeria. ISSN: Online 2955-1641, ISSN: Print 2955-165x.

4. Okolo, M.S.C, (2023): Humanising the Sciences through the Socratic Method. Journal of African Studies and Sustainable Development. 6(2):136-147. Published by Association for the Promotion of African Studies. ISSN Online:2630-7073, ISSN Print: 2630-7065. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.30520.83203.
5. Okolo, M.S.C, Ezenandu Patricia E. and Alor, Ezinne Rachel (2023): Interrogating Communication: A Philosophical Reflection on Words, Meaning and Intention. Journal of African Studies and Sustainable Development. 6(1):24-34. Published by Association for the Promotion of African Studies. ISSN Online: 2630-7073, ISSN Print: 2630-7065. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.25198.48964

6. Okolo, MSC and Eke, Hilary A. (2022): COVID-19 and Critical Thinking: A Philosophical Reflection. Philosophy and Praxis. 12(1): 58-70. Published by the Association of Philosophy Professionals of Nigeria (APPON). ISSN: 2006-9235.

7. Okolo, M.S.C. (2022): A Philosophical Evaluation of Gowon’s ‘No Victor, No Vanquished’ Mantra. CACH Journal of Humanities and Cultural Studies. 3(1):105-121. Published by the Centre for Arts, Culture and the Humanities, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Available online at https://journals.unizik.edu.ng/index.php/jhucs/issue/view/84.

8. Okolo, M.S.C. (2022): The Ontological Status of Scientific Knowledge. Amamihe Journal of Applied Philosophy. 20(1):173-184. Published by Department of Philosophy, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. ISSN: 1597-0779. Available online at https://acjol.org/index.php/ajap/issue/view/166.

9. Okolo, M.S.C. (2021): Repositioning Africa for Social Transformation through Creative Writing: A Philosophical Contribution. Philosophy and Praxis. 11(2):90-107. Published by Association of Philosophy Professionals of Nigeria (APPON). ISSN: 2006-9235. Available online at https://acjol.org/index.php/appon/issue/view/167.

10. Okolo, M.S.C. (2021): Lessons from Achebe’s There was a Country: A Philosophical Review. Amamihe: Journal of Applied Philosophy. 19(4):63-81. Published by Department of Philosophy, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. ISSN: 1597-0779. Available online at https://acjol.org/index.php/ajap/issue/view/138. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.26514.17604

11. Okolo, MSC. (2020): Understanding Social Environment through African literature: A philosophical re-imaging of Shanty Town. Fahsanu Journal. 3(1):150-163. Published by the Faculties of Arts/Humanities Scholars’ Association of Nigerian Universities. Available online at https://fahsanujournal.com/index.php/Fahsanu/article/view/80

12. Omotoyinbo, Femi R. & Okolo, MSC. (2021): Globalisation and the Question of Loyalty in Africa: A Philosophical Reflection. International Review of Humanities Studies. 6(2); 784-793, Published by University of Indonesia. e-ISSN: 2477-6866, p-ISSN:25279416. Available online at http://irhs.ui.ac.id/index.php/journal

13. Okolo, M.S.C. & Nwaorgu, O.G.F. (2020): The Nexus between Logic and General Studies. Journal of Humanities, Social Sciences and Creative Arts. 15; 92-100, Published by Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State. e-ISSN: 2315-747X, p-ISSN: 2277-078X

14. Okolo, MSC. (2019): Understanding Gender and Repression through the experiences of women in African Literature: A Philosophical Contribution. African Journal of Gender Development, 6(1&2); 64-74, Published by Center for Gender and Social Policy Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. ISSN: 2006-2192

15. Nwaorgu, O.G.F, Ojukwu C.C. & Okolo, M.S.C. (2017): Philosophy and Nation Building. ORCHEUMA: African Journal of Existential Philosophy, 5(2);166-194, Published by Department of Philosophy, Benue State University, Markurdi. ISSN: 2276-8068

16. Okolo, MaryStella Chika (2017): Colonial Legacy and Brittle Peace: A Philosophical Reading of Achebe’s There was a Country. Cameroon Journal of Studies in the Commonwealth (CJSC). 4(1);189-211, Published by University of Douala, Cameroon. ISSN: 2411 1325. Available at http://camerooncommonwealthjournal.com

17. Okolo, MaryStella Chika (2015): Constraints and Possibilities in Creating a Sustainable Inclusive Society in Africa: A Philosophical Re-imaging of Coetzee’s Disgrace. OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development. 8(7); 33-46, Published by Ontario International Development Agency, Canada. p-ISSN: 1923-6654, e-ISSN: 1923-6662 Available at http://www.ssrn.com/link/OIDA-Intl-Journal-Sustainable-Dev.html

18. Okolo, MaryStella Chika (2014): A Philosophical Reflection on Sustainable Politics in Africa: Constraints and Possibilities. OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development. 7(4); 63-78, Published by Ontario International Development Agency, Canada, p-ISSN: 1923-6664, e-ISSN: 1923-6662 Available online at the Social Sciences Research Network: http://www.ssrn.com/link/OIDA-Intl-Journal-Sustainable-Dev.html

19. Okolo, MSC (2014): Justice and the Search for an African Political Philosophy: Mandela in Perspective. African International Journal of Contemporary Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences. 2; 281-302, Published by International Research Council of Humanities and Social Sciences Studies on Africa (IRCHSSSA), U.S.A. ISBN: 978-978-52446-1-8

20. Okolo, M.S.C. (2009): Contesting the African Public Sphere: A Philosophical Re-Imaging of Power and Resistance in Ngugi’s Wizard of the Crow. Africa Development. 34(2); 59- 80, Published by Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA). ISSN 0850-3907

21. Okolo, M.S.C. (2005): Reassessing the impact of Colonial languages on the African identity for African development. Africa Media Review. 13(2); 85–103, Published by Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA). ISSN: 0258-4913

22. Okolo, M.S.C. (2005): Ngugi’s Marxist Aesthetics: A philosophical Re-imaging of Petals of Blood. The African Literary Journal. Edition B5; 124-140, Published by International Research Council on African Literature and Culture (IRCALC), U.S.A. Available online at http://www.africaresearch.org/es 1309.htm.

(iii) Books

23. Okolo, MSC, (2023). Mist. Lagos: Published by Beacon Books. ISBN: 978-978-56384-0-0

24. Okolo, MaryStella Chika. (2018): Contesting the African Public Sphere. Mauritius: Published by LAP Lambert Academic Publishing. ISBN: 978-613-9-84753-2.

25. Okolo, MSC, (2016). Gates of Dawn. Lagos: Published by Beacon Books. ISBN: 978- 978-932-182-7

26. Okolo, MSC, (2016). Memoirs of an Exiled Girl. Lagos: Published by Beacon Books. ISBN: 978-978-955-226-9

27. Okolo, MSC, (2015). Philosophy: Contemporary Concerns in Africa. Owerri: Published by Book-Konzult. ISBN: 978-37819-8-7

28. Okesipe K. and Okolo, MSC, (2013). Essentials of Communication in English for Nigerian Universities. Ibadan: Published by Rebuttal Books. ISBN: 978-978-49093-6-5.

29. Okolo, MSC (2007). African Literature as Political Philosophy. London and New York: Published by Zed Books. ISBN: 978-1-84277-895-1

30. Okolo, MSC. [1996] (2016): Winds on my Mind. Lagos: Published by Beacon Books. ISBN: 978-978-932-182-7.

Chapters in Books

31. Okolo, M.S.C. (2023): Ubuntu and COVID-19: A Philosophical Reflection. In Global Health, Humanity and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Philosophical and Sociological Challenges and Imperatives Francis Egbokhare and Adeshina Afolayan (eds.) 33-50. Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-3-031-17428-5, ISBN 978-3-031-17429-2 (eBook). DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17429-2

32. Okolo, Mary Stella C. (2022): Understanding the philosophy of Africa in a cosmopolitan and multilateral world through language. In Africa in a Multilateral world: Afropolitan Dilemmas Albert Kasanda and Marek Hrubec (eds.) 191-202. London and New York: Published by Routledge. ISBN: 978-1-03-203389-1(hbk), ISBN: 978-1-032-03394-5 (pbk), ISBN: 978-1-003-18709-7 (ebk)

33. Okolo, MSC, (2022): Uwadiegwu. In Voices at the Gateway: Anthology of Short Stories 4-9. Lagos: Association of Nigerian Authors Ogun State Chapter. ISBN: 978-978-56290-3-3.

34. Okolo, MSC. (2021): Understanding Leadership, Governance and National Development through African literature: A Philosophical Contribution. In Philosophy and National Security: Interrogations in a Distressed Nation, vol.1, Alloy S. Ihuah and Philip A. Idachaba (eds.) 228-248. Makurdi: Published by Association of Philosophy of Professionals of Nigeria (APPON). ISBN: 978-978-52613-8-7.

35. Okolo, MSC, (2017): The Repressive State in African Literature: A Philosophical Reading. In The Palgrave Handbook of African Philosophy Adeshina Afolayan and Toyin Falola (eds.) 431-446. New York: Published by Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN: 978-1-137-59290-3, ISBN 978-1-137-59291-0 (eBook), DOI 10.1057/978-1-137-59291-0.

36. Okolo, MSC, (2016): A Philosophical Inquiry into the Nexus between Language and Education in Africa. In Interdisciplinarity in the 21st Century Global Dispensation: Research in Language, Literature, and Education in Africa Rosalyn Mutia and Eric E. Ekembe (eds.) 147-157. New York: Published by Nova Science. ISBN: 978-1-63485-691-1(hpk), ISBN: 9781634857093 (EBook), ISBN 9781634857093.

37. Okolo, M.S.C., (2006): Re-establishing the basis of social order in Africa: a reflection on Achebe’s reformist agenda and Ngugi’s Marxist aesthetics. In Intellectuals and African Development: Pretension and Resistance in African Politics Bjӧrn Beckman and Gbemisola Adeoti (eds.) 31-48. Dakar: Published by CODESRIA; London and New York: Published by Zed Books; Pretoria: Published by UNISA Press. CODESRIA edition ISBN: 2 86978 1962, ZED Books edition ISBN 1-84277-764 5| 978 1 84277 764 0 hb, ISBN 1 84277 765 3| 978 1 84277 765 7 pb.

38. Okolo, MSC, (2000): A Suspended Elegy. In 25 New Nigerian Poets Toyin Adewale (ed.) 6. Berkeley, California: Published by Ishmael Reed Publishing Co. ISBN: 0-918408-34-2.

39. Okolo, MSC, (2000): Still Burn. In 25 New Nigerian Poets Toyin Adewale (ed.) 7. Berkeley, California: Published by Ishmael Reed Publishing Co. ISBN: 0-918408-34-2.

40. Okolo, MSC, (1997): Little Old Girl. In Inkwells: An Anthology of Poems and Stories Maik Nwosu and Toyin Adewale-Nduka (eds.) 70-75. Lagos: Published by Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Lagos. ISBN: 978 32456-8-6.

41. Okolo, MSC, (1996): Beyond our Ken. In For Ken, for Nigeria: Poems in memory of Ken Saro-Wiwa E.C. Osondu (ed.) 127. Lagos: Published by Service and Service International. ISBN: 978-30669-7-8.

42. Okolo, MSC, (1996): Echoes of Silence. In For Ken, for Nigeria: Poems in memory of Ken Saro-Wiwa E.C. Osondu (ed.) 128. Lagos: Published by Service and Service International. ISBN: 978-30669-7-8.

43. Okolo, MSC, (1996): Fumes of Decay. In For Ken, for Nigeria: Poems in memory of Ken Saro-Wiwa E.C. Osondu (ed.) 129. Lagos: Published by Service and Service International. ISBN: 978-30669-7-8.
Edited Conference Proceeding

44. Okolo M.S.C. (2008): Responding to the Imperatives of Decolonizing the Social Sciences in Africa: A Philosophical Contribution. Proceedings of CODESRIA Interventions Series, International Colloquium, 320–340. Published by Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA).

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