AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
Professor Simon Ajayi of History Department, University of Ibadan, has reiterated the need to place History in its rightful place, explaining that rather than just learning it as a school subject, it should be learnt as a way of life, individually and corporately as a nation state.
Ajayi made the call while delivering an inaugural lecture titled, ‘Who is not afraid of History?’ on behalf of the Faculty of Arts of the University.
He said there was need to unlearn, relearn and learn from History.
According to him, Nigeria’s current problems are systemic and the solutions should be systematic. He added that this is the time for restructuring, reorientation and rebuilding.
“There is need for paradigm shift, to embrace true federalism which will be a strategic means of managing the country’s diversity and further enable every federating unit to address its peculiar challenges,” he said.
The don stated that when people fear the verdict of History, they tread with caution. He, however, expressed regret that “In Nigeria today, we do not fear History.”
Ajayi wondered why the Nigerian political class was more concerned with the pursuit, acquisition, sharing, retention and mere exercise of power that is so ephemeral, kicking all notions of nationalism and nation building to the background and often, resorting to the ruling pattern of the dark ages and practically returning the polity to primitivity.
He advised that the people should not truncate History to suit an agenda, warning that such would boomerang like a vengeful torrent.
The professor said that time had come for those in the saddle of power to discard the idea of ‘government is might and might is right’ in their dealings with the governed. Rather, he said they should embrace the principle of ‘what is right’ for the sake of posterity.
The lecturer urged Nigerians to pause, reflect on the past, evaluate the present and think of future possibilities and expectations.
He said, “We should not keep repeating the same errors while expecting different results. We should never stop learning from and about the past because History will never stop teaching or unfurling wisdom. Going down historical lane helps to understand the present and project the future appropriately to aid sustainable development.
“History is useful and will continue to be useful but any society that denigrates or trivialises its History will certainly go the way of History and get lost in the jungle of confusion and interminably lament missed opportunities for sustainable development.
