By Igbotako Nowinta
When a high profile academician, a man of exceptional educational accomplishments; a colossus in his specialty carries himself moderately, easily and responsibly without bullying his subordinates or students, in spite of the fact that the cosmic forces have positioned him magnificently, then you know that there is no academic mountain he cannot climb. Therefore, when the Senate of the Glorious Vision University (GVU), Ogwa, Edo State, in its wisdom, approved the establishment of the Institute for Peace and and Conflict Studies, with Professor Cyrille Ngamen Kouassi, as the pioneer Director, on Thursday July 3rd, 2025, the ivory tower was simply putting a perfect round peg in a round hole.It is incontrovertible that Prof. Cyrille Ngamen Kouassi is a fountain of integrity and ability; a reservoir of knowledge and wisdom; a star in the pantheon of the most gifted; a blueprint for intellectual curiosity, ingenuity, innovations and development, who has demonstrated a voracious appetite for the pursuit of excellence.
When the late highly versatile and cerebral Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, said that :”A man who says ‘I have learned enough and will not learn no further’, should be considered as knowing nothing at all”, he was probably talking about his cloned intellectual personality like (Prof. Cyrille Ngamen Kouassi).
Why did l say so? Prof. Ngamen Kouassi is a cloned Haile Selassie in many respects, because he believes that an intellectual must not only assume to know too much, but must be prepared to learn something new every day in the course of his duties; even from his subordinates or students.
There is also this very humble disposition of Prof. Ngamen Kouassi to learning generally. Like he used to say frequently that : “The only thing I know is that I know nothing according to Socrates; you know I am one of his great grand children!”
When a high profile academician, a man of exceptional educational accomplishments; a colossus in his specialty carries himself moderately, easily and responsibly without bullying his subordinates or students, in spite of the fact that the cosmic forces have positioned him magnificently, then you know that there is no academic mountain he cannot climb.
Therefore, when the Senate of the Glorious Vision University (GVU), Ogwa, Edo State, in its wisdom, approved the establishment of the Institute for Peace and and Conflict Studies, with Professor Cyrille Ngamen Kouassi as the pioneer Director, on Thursday July 3rd, 2025, the ivory tower was simply putting a perfect round peg in a round hole.
It is incontrovertible that Prof. Cyrille Ngamen Kouassi is a fountain of integrity and ability; a reservoir of knowledge and wisdom; a star in the pantheon of the most gifted; a blueprint for intellectual curiosity, ingenuity, innovations and development, who has demonstrated a voracious appetite for the pursuit of excellence.
According to the iconic visionary lecturer : “Africa in general and Nigeria in particular cannot afford not to have peace when experts in peace and conflict studies are found in various Universities such as Glorious Vision University, Ogwa Edo State”
As the Director, Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, Glorious Vision University, this professor known for his iron clad determination and industry, will surely display strong leadership and management skills, to provide academic and administrative leadership, ensuring the effective operation of the Institute.
He must have shown vast experience in conducting research on peace, conflict, and security issues, with a proven track record of publications in reputable academic journals and publications. A Director in this field of study must have experience in fundraising and resource mobilization to secure financial support for the Institute and cultivate relationships with potential donors and partners.
In this field a Prof. must have the ability to build and maintain strong partnerships with government agencies, civil society organizations, international organizations, and other academic institutions. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with diverse stakeholders, including faculty and students should not be in short supply either.
With Prof. Ngamen Kouassi in the saddle as Director of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, he posseses the ability to develop and implement a strategic plan for the Institute, aligning with the university’s overall mission; show willingness to engage with the local community to address peace and conflict issues and promote peacebuilding initiatives. A man with unwavering commitments, he has the
ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment, with fluency in relevant languages (e.g., English and French.
What of opening up of career paths in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and human rights promotion; generation of evidence-based knowledge to inform effective peacebuilding strategies and addresses specific challenges faced in Nigeria?
Cyrille Dalex Ngamen Kouassi teaches at Glorious Vision University (GVU) Ogwa Edo State Nigeria. This bundle of energy is a full professor of ethics social and political philosophy. Currently, Professor Ngamen Kouassi is the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies at (GVU,) 2022 till date). He is also the former Dean, College of Humanities (2020- 2022); Acting Dean, students affairs division ( 2014-2020) and Head, Department of Philosophy and religious studies ( 2011- 2022) at GVU.
Professor Cyrille Ngamen Kouassi has taught, supervised and co-supervised both undergraduate and postgraduate students in the disciplines of Philosophy, Sociology, Anthropology, Political Science and Peace and Conflict Resolution in various Universities for the past two decades.
As an academic giant he has published extensively in both local and foreign outlets. Professor Cyrille Ngamen Kouassi is married to Dr Mrs Carine Ngamen, and the union is blessed with children.
In using this medium to congratulate this extraordinary workaholic in his well deserved new assignment, l have infinite confidence in his ability to deliver beyond the expectations of the management of Glorious Vision University.
Nowinta Igbotako, a serial author, media consultant, is an Assistant Registrar @ the University of Delta, Agbor, Nigeria:08078703947.
