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Why Nigerians Should Return To Study Of History – Falola

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Toyin Falola At 70: The Reminiscing About A Scholar And Legend
Prof. Toyin Falola

A renowned historian Prof. Toyin Falola has urged Nigerians to return to an active study of history in order to overcome their myriad individual and national crises.

Falola made the call as he decried the relegation of history while giving the Second Distinguished Lecture of the Department of History of the Lagos State University today Wednesday.

He said: “While history was material in the predominance of Nigerian nationalism during the colonial era, it is rather lacking in contemporary society. Until recently, the Nigerian government stopped the compulsory teaching of history in primary and secondary schools, making the subject optional for students. Few university students now study history because they choose to or find themselves in that situation. If Nigeria would rebuild its nationalism values to keep a tab on its developmental course, there would be a need for more investment in historical research and studying the subject from primary to tertiary education level as a necessity and not an option. If history has been important in inciting nationalists and nationalism has been material in the development of the country across all sectors, it is, therefore, important to go back to the drawing board and reintroduce history to Nigeria’s educational system from the beginning of every Nigerian educational journey to the end.”

In the lecture titled “History and the Nation”, Falola declared that a “nation is the reflection of its history. History connects the past, the present, and the future in one streak of the line through problems, solutions, changes, continuity, legenderies, and normalcy; therefore, it is core to the existence of a nation and important for its future.”

According to the famous Nigerian scholar based in the United States, history is the memory of the nation by which all sectors, through their specific past, navigate current processes and prepare for other impacts.

“As the memory of the nation, history is built from singular lines of memories and records of the activities of individuals and the collective memories of everyone, institutions, and processes that have occurred through time. These memories cut across the nation’s social, cultural, and systematised past, as well as the foundation for co-existence within a society and interaction with other societies”, he said.

READ ALSO: Falola Delivers Lagos Technical Education College’s Lecture, Gets First Technical University’s D.Sc

He noted that what “makes a nation is not only territorial distribution or the occupation of the spaces but also the historical properties and ties that bind the people together. Generational identification is passed down, which binds the social structures that constitute the nation.”

Thus, for Falola, if Nigeria will be involved in nation-building, “the people must understand their cultural activities in order to reclaim their African pride and strive according to their pace and orientation. The nation can only achieve this by circulating historical knowledge in its objective and authentic form. Even if the world cannot change from those periods, exposing contemporary Nigerian citizens to the past would help develop their minds and make them see the wisdom in the cultural attributes of the past. It would allow a sense of belonging to an origin and ways of life distinct from contemporary ones.”

According to Falola, Nigeria can look back at its past to find solutions to the contemporary problems plaguing it.

As he put it : “The essence of history transcends the study of the past alone; it includes the study of the past to understand the present and plan for the future. The nation’s memory helps to understand a present predicament while reflecting on past problems and working towards solutions. History helps to bring back past wisdom, understanding, techniques and methodology to help solve today’s puzzle and create hope for the future. It has always been said that there is almost no event that does not have a similitude to its past circumstances and that the past holds answers to many of the contemporary ponderings …History offers the nation an opportunity to look back at the beginning of the problems to understand the underlying reasons. History allows the nation to reapply past solutions to similar problems or develop them to fit into the contemporary nature of those problems. ”

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Falola added : “The history of every nation is in the details of every path it has taken and events that have occurred over the years. History holds the nation’s memory so that when time and generations make the citizens forget their origin and how far their nation has strived so hard, history brings back the toils of past generations. With the advent of globalisation and western civilisation that has caused aggressive cultural diffusion, history has remained the only factor that keeps the nation in check and the hope of allowing the people to find their identity once more.

“Nations cannot survive or stand without strong men, women, and institutions to chart the trajectories of their development and integrity. These individuals are those nationalists convinced to fight for a better situation in the country. To build motivations geared towards recreating committed individuals who would swear unflinching loyalty to their country despite the disappointments, history must be made an inciting force to realise this national ambition.

“One other important national process in national development is the duty of every nation and government to ensure that the country progresses and that national development is ensured in order to guarantee good quality of life and standard of living. Any country that cannot do this has undoubtedly failed its purpose. The current state of Nigeria has made us doubt the development of the country, and the future is unpredictable. However, knowledge of historical facts and events empowers individuals with the skills to make good decisions and build purposeful leadership.”

 

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For The Record

Socio-cultural And Economic Strides Of Anioma

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Chief Augustine Anonyai Ojei

By Augustine Anonyai Ojei

The Anioma people are found in the Northern senatorial district of the present Delta State, originally (at Independence (1960) part of Western Region before the creation of Mid- Western Region in August, 1963.

Rt. Hon. (Chief) Barr. Dennis Osadebay (native of Asaba), one-time Acting Governor General of Nigeria, was the first and only Premier of the then Mid-West Region.

Anioma still remained part of that entity renamed Bendel State in 1976. Anioma constituted one of the five Senatorial Districts (Bendel East) of the defunct Bendel State.
At creation, Delta State which crystalized from the division of the defunct Bendel State into Edo and Delta States, Anioma became part of the newly created Delta state in August 1991, and had the privilege of hosting the State capital in Asaba.

In the geo-political configuration of Delta State, Anioma (called Delta North) is made up of nine out of the 25 local government areas of the state as follows : Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North East (which produced the immediate past Executive Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa), Ika South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Oshimili North, Oshimili South and Ukwani Local Government areas.

Social-cultural Attributes

Anioma people are linguistically of different ethnic backgrounds. There are communities within it that trace their origins to Benin, for instance, the Ezechime Clan, Aboh, Agbor, Owa, etc. Other trace theirs to the East ,majorly Nri (some Isu and Nteje, ecetra). These communities include Ogwashi-Uku, Ibusa, Okpanam (which according to tradition have some with different origins), Asaba (in part- Nteje) and some others trace their roots to Igala in present-day Kogi State. These communities include largely Ebu, and partly Asaba and Illah. Some other communities in Anioma,for instance Eko efun (popularly called Ukwu’Nzu, and Odiani communities who speak Olukunmi; a variant of Yoruba language) trace their origin to Ile-Ife and Owo. The same with the Ubulus which claim similar origin and linkage to Ile-Ife ,though with counter linkage claims between them and Afor in Ndokwa.

What can be rightly deduced from these diverse accounts of the origins, is that various communities in Anioma must have likely evolved from the aforementioned language groups. What is equally clear is that various Anioma communities or groups have their spoken dialects with strong linkages to Ibo/ Igbo languages for which reason Anioma dialects are largely grouped as part of Ibo language in Nigeria.

The Anioma people, thus culturally appear to be caught in between her brethren in the East and her geopolitical brothers and sisters in Midwest, now called Edo and Delta States. Music with its emotional soul-lifting attributes is another area Anioma people are known for.

Values

As part of its cultural heritage, Anioma people hold to the highest esteem among others the following values, prominent among which is Eziokwu-bundu (truth is life), put in other words “honesty is the best policy”.

This is complemented by other values such as:
-Respect for the elderly,
-Respect for the healthy family life,
-Respect for hard work (dignity in labour),
-Sanctity of life, – Sanctity of marriage,
-Reverence to God Almighty (Chukwu), etc.

Cultural Attires

The native attires often adorned by Anioma men and women is white, popularly called “Akwa-Ocha” or Otuogwu. These clothes and related costumes are worn as ceremonial dresses, especially in major ceremonies,such as marriages,burial of the elderly and other major cultural or traditional ceremonies.

These dresses are classy and stand out anyone that adorns them. Most Anioma towns celebrate their annual festivals between the months of August and December every year. Such festivals include Ine , Ogbanigbe, Igwue, Ofala, New Yam, etc. In most of these communities, burial ceremonies of any form are suspended until the expiration of the period of festivities.

Social-political And Economic Spheres

Several Anioma indigenes have contributed ,and many are still contributing to the socio-political and even economic development of Nigeria. We may wish to note that at Independence (1960) Lt Commander O.Z Chiazor was recorded to be one of the most senior military officers in the then Nigerian Navy under whose command the Union Jack (British flag) was lowered on October 1, 1960.
Similar notables include Ms. Helen Anyamelune (Ugbodu) who was Miss Nigeris 1958; the highly celebrated Ms. Rosemary Anieze-Adams (Onicha-Olona) who was Miss Nigeria at Independence 1960, Mrs. Clara Ifeoma Okwechime (nee Emefiene), wife of Rtd Col. (Chief) Micheal Nduka Okwechime (one of the founding fathers of the Nigerian Army). Ms. Rita Anuku (Ika) was crowned Miss Nigeria in 1986. Mention must be made of Reverend Father Paul Obodochina Emecheta, the first West African to be ordained a Catholic Priest, 1928.

In the same vein, honour and reverence must be given to the late Rt Rev. (Dr) Samuel Wadie Martins, D.Litt (Honorary Causa), pioneer Baptist Missionary/Evangelist, who saw to the in-planting of Baptist missionary churches throughout the old Benin and Delta Provinces between 1922 when he returned from USA, till his death in 1976. He saw to the establishment of Baptist Primary Schools in most towns including Asaba, Warri and Benin-City. The same for the establishment of Baptist Hospital, Eku, Baptist Girls High School, Agbor, Pilgrims Baptist Grammar School, Ewohimi, Pilgrims Baptist Grammar school, Issele-Uku, Pilgrims Baptist Teachers Training College as well as the Technical College in Issele-uku, and Baptist High school, Benin -City, among others.

Anioma people are traditionally agrarian, vast in the production of food crops and livestock. Those in the riverine areas ply their trade in fishing and pottery, others generally in traditional cloth making.
This is aside from their great academic attainments in the educational sphere. Many Aniomans are found in the corporate world contributing to national economic development, be it in academics, banking, marketing communication, insurance, real sector/manufacturing industry, public service, non-governmental services, informal sector and the diaspora.

Developing Anioma

Many mini and micro enterprises have sprung up in Anioma area since the advent of this millennium. Asaba, the state capital and its environs are continually witnessing transformation. Towns like Agbor, Kwale, Okpanam, Obiaruku, Owa, Ogwashi-Uku and others have notably improved in terms of physical infrastructure. There is a clarion call for investment in the area. We welcome the establishment of the Dennis Osadebay University in Asaba, and University of Delta, Agbor. These in addition to earlier existing tertiary institutions in the area will boost socio-economic and educational development in Delta State and the nation at large .The establishment of a Federal University of Health Science in Kwale, is equally a welcomed development.

Our Appeal To Government

We would like to use this medium to passionately appeal to the Delta State as well as the Edo State and Anambra State governments where exist some Anioma people, to take greater interest in infrastructural development in these areas. These include roads, utilities, health and educational facilities.

We also appeal to the Federal Government to establish an industrial hub in Anioma area. The creation of an Export Processing Zone in Illah, Ugbolu, Asaba, Oko, Ewulu, Isheagu, Amai and Aboh/Ndosimili axes of Delta State to boost industrial development which will induce the venturing into the production of goods, that could be exported, and earn foreign exchange for the nation, will be economically worthwhile. The Warri, Sapele and Koko Sea ports would form a good linkage to the proposed processing zone. The multiplier effects this will achieve are better imagined.

Conclusion

Let me at this junction thank the Executives of Nji’ko Ndi Anioma, especially the President, a worthy comrade and champion of Anioma cause, Obuzor Chuks-Smith and his very visionary team. I join everyone in commending their efforts.
God bless them;
God bless Anioma;
God bless Delta state;
God bless Lagos state;
God bless Nigeria.

.Being a lecture delivered during the 2023 General Assembly of Njiko Ndi Anioma in Lagos on September 24, by Chief Augustine Anonyai Ojei, Ugwu’Eze Issele-Azagba; Ugwu’Anioma; member, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

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Abiodun Flags Off Aviation Village, Says Project Will Complement Cargo Airport

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Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday flagged off the construction of 200 units of two-bedroom expanded bungalows, at the Gateway Aviation Village, located at Iperu in Ikenne Local Government Area of the State.

He said the project was divided into two phases, with the first 100 units ready in six months.

The governor, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Housing, Jagunmolu Jamiu Omoniyi, said the project would herald the creation of a new city in the town and would serve the entire Remo cluster and the state in general.

According to the governor, the siting of the housing scheme would serve institutions and people who will make use of the Gateway Agro-Cargo Airport, noting government agencies like the Customs, the Nigerian Air Force and corporate bodies, have already indicated interest in the airport.

He added that the project would create jobs for about 5,000 artisans of various skills in the course of execution of the project.

The governor said: “This is the people’s project. This housing scheme will complement the airport and serve those who will work in this town. I can assure you that within two years, the story of this town will change. We will not engage outsiders to work in this estate, but the people of this town.

“We have done similar projects at Kemta, Idi-Aba and Kobape. The siting of a similar housing estate has changed the landscape of Kobape which was a village before to a lively city.”

He called on prospective buyers to start the process by obtaining their forms, charging the people to support and take ownership of the project for the development of the town.

On behalf of the Alaperu of Iperu, Oba Idowu Basibo, Ebi Idena, Oba Lukman Salami, expressed delight that the project is being sited in his domain.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Ikenne Local Government Area, Mr. Segun Ogunleye, expressed gratitude to the governor, saying with the siting of the housing estate and the cargo airport, the development of the town is assured.

Also, the Chairman of Ogun State Park Management Service, Engr. Wale Yusuf, said the project would change the face of the town for good, urging the indigenes to support it.

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BREAKING: NLC, TUC Declare Indefinite Strike

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NLC Suspends Plan To Protest Against Fuel Subsidy Removal
Members of NLC during a protest.

Workers under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) are set to begin an indefinite strike on Tuesday, October 3.

The announcement came after a joint press briefing held by both leaders of the union in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Tuesday (today).

The unions also asked their state chapters to mobilize for protests across the country .

The leaders of the two labour centres have resolved their differences that made only NLC embark on a two-day warning strike without the participation of TUC.

According to the notice of meeting signed by the NLC Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the meeting is holding virtually.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong has appealed to the NLC leadership to shelve the planned strike, assuring them that the Federal Government is determined to address the concerns raised.

The minister also noted that one of the major demands of the NLC in their last meeting has been met, which has to do with the release of the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport workers.

A statement signed by the spokesman of the ministry, Olajide Oshundu, urged the workers’ unions to give the government a little more time to address other issues.

On Tuesday, September 5 and Wednesday 6, 2023, NLC embarked on a two-day warning strike to force the government to address the mass suffering of Nigerians, especially workers.

Sources privy to the matter said the two sides after their separate organs’ meetings, commenced a joint press briefing at 3 p.m. on Tuesday to announce an indefinite nationwide strike following the Federal Government’s failure to address the suffering and other socioeconomic hardships occasioned by the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.

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