Eagle Scholars Forge Graduates Rise to the Challenge: A New Generation of Purpose-Driven Scholars Unveiled!

Eagle Scholars Forge Graduates Rise to the Challenge: A New Generation of Purpose-Driven Scholars Unveiled!

By: Marian Opeyemi Fasesan, The Editor-in-Chief, Editorial Desk | Sele Media Africa Newsroom
Date: December 9, 2025

In a momentous virtual ceremony that united minds across Africa and the Caribbean, Sele Media Africa marked the successful graduation of the inaugural cohort of the Eagle Scholars Forge — a transformative program designed to raise a generation of scholars who do not merely write to impress, but to transform.

Held on Monday, December 8, 2025, via Google Meet and broadcasted live on Sele Media Africa’s YouTube channel, the event was nothing short of historic. The atmosphere — though virtual — was charged with intellectual energy, purpose, and a sense of continental unity.

A Vision Anchored in Purpose
The ceremony opened with compelling welcome remarks from Amb. John Sele Philip, Founder and CEO of Sele Media Africa and Chief Host of the Event. A prolific Pan-African scholar with over 20 scholarly publications, Amb. Sele laid the foundation for what would be a night of academic pride and Pan-African excellence.

“We are not just graduating writers,” he said with conviction. “We are raising thinkers, leaders, and disruptors who will shape the intellectual future of Africa and the Caribbean through scholarship that speaks to real issues.”

He also acknowledged and celebrated the organization’s strategic partners: Content Creators Hub, represented by Mr. Hiram Mafeng Bakwal (COO), and Jos Film and Technical Institute, represented by Rector Mr. Rapson Samuel. He emphasized the need for deeper collaboration among African institutions, stating:

“When we create spaces for young scholars to thrive, we do not just build careers — we build nations.”

Introducing the Power Behind Sele Media Africa

Suzan Sele Daniel, Chief of Staff and official Co-Host of the evening, brought grace and professionalism to the event. In a moving segment, she gave a brief yet enlightening presentation about Sele Media Africa — its mission, team, and emerging impact.

She introduced the 15-member staff team, each serving in various capacities across communications, research, media production, and editorial operations. She closed her address with a heartfelt call for support:

“Sele Media Africa is not just a media house. We are a movement. A Pan-African voice nurturing truth, creativity, and scholarship. We welcome your support as we amplify young voices and reshape narratives.”

Keynote Sparks: Voices That Stirred Minds

The highlight of the evening was a set of powerful keynote addresses delivered by esteemed guest scholars:

🔹 Dr. Samuel Yohana Davou (Nigeria)
Topic: “Writing for a Cause: Why Meaningful Scholarship Matters in a Broken World”

Dr. Davou charged the scholars to pursue truth and healing through research:

“In a broken world, writing is not neutral. Every sentence you publish must either heal or harm. Choose healing.”

🔹 Leonard Ndzi (Cameroon)
Topic: “Raising Africa and the Caribbean’s Next Generation of Scholars”

“We cannot afford a generation of brilliant minds that remain silent. Our continent needs bold scholarship rooted in identity and truth.”

🔹Polycarp Zongo (Nigeria)
Topic: “Be a Scholar with a Purpose: Write to Transform, Not to Impress”

Zongo emphasized that true scholarship is not self-serving:

“Publishing is not a badge — it’s a responsibility to change lives.”

Each speaker was honored with a Certificate of Honour presented by the CEO, in recognition of their invaluable contribution.

The Scholars: Purpose in Print

The climax of the evening was the presentation by the graduating scholars, each allotted 7 minutes to share their research article, its context, and the impact it aims to create. The presentations were insightful, deeply contextual, and emotionally resonant.

Here are the 2025 Eagle Scholars Forge Graduates:

Name	Country	Project Title
Elijah Cunningham	Jamaica	Understanding Depression in Young Jamaican Women: A Study of Cultural, and Social Influences

“Publishing is not a badge — it’s a responsibility to change lives.”

Each speaker was honored with a Certificate of Honour presented by the CEO, in recognition of their invaluable contribution.

The Scholars: Purpose in Print

The climax of the evening was the presentation by the graduating scholars, each allotted 7 minutes to share their research article, its context, and the impact it aims to create. The presentations were insightful, deeply contextual, and emotionally resonant.

Here are the 2025 Eagle Scholars Forge Graduates:

Name	Country	Project Title
Elijah Cunningham	Jamaica	Understanding Depression in Young Jamaican Women: A Study of Cultural, and Social Influences
Monifah Whittaker	Guyana / St. Kitts & Nevis	Dietary Patterns, Behavioural Regulation, and Cognitive Functioning in Autistic Children in St. Kitts and Nevis
Santigie Foday Kamara	Sierra Leone	Assessing the Current Energy Mix in Sierra Leone: Challenges and Opportunities for Diversification
Jeremiah Vandy	African-Chinese Scholar	Prion-Inhibitory Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Therapeutic Implications for Prion Diseases
Simiso Marvin Ntobela	South Africa	Decolonising Christian Leadership: Power, Gender, and Governance in Zionist Churches of KwaZulu-Natal
Tee Jay Whittaker	Jamaica / St. Kitts & Nevis	The Psychological Impact of Absentee Fathers on Youth in Developing Countries: A Caribbean Study

Each scholar received a Certificate of Merit, presented by Amb. Sele Philip, in recognition of their scholarly excellence and successful completion of the training.

A Call to Sustain the Movement

The event concluded with resounding applause, emotional reflections from scholars, and a reaffirmed commitment to build a community of scholars who write for impact. Amb. Sele closed the event with these words:

“This is not the end. This is the beginning of a new scholarly tribe — one that Africa and the Caribbean have long waited for.”

Event Footage

🎥 The full graduation ceremony is available on Sele Media Africa’s YouTube Channel [https://youtu.be/LOrVgLgpBOQ].

For partnerships, alumni profiles, and more information, visit: www.scholar.selemedia.org

Sele Media Africa — The Eagle of Africa

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