Foundation of modern Nigeria not laid by British colonialists, says Sultan of Sokoto

*As he describes role of History in human society

*Hails Buhari, Adamu over return of History subject to school curriculum

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

History has been described, more than being a study of the past, as an interpretation and analysis of human activities and relationships which explain the present and helps to chart a course of the future.

This description was given by Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman, National Traditional Rulers Council (NTRCN), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar,in his address address at an occasion marking the return of the teaching of History and flagging-off the nationwide training of history teachers at basic education level, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, penultimate Thursday November 24, 2022.

To this end, he said, as an essential course of study, History serves as a channel for the transmission of cultures, traditions and values from one generation to another.

The Amirul Mu’mineen of Nigeria would not forget to tell seekers of truth that foundation of modern Nigeria was not laid by British colonialists, a part of the past event that can only be known through the teaching-learning process that has just be reintroduced into the national education system.

The Sultan, who was applauding the return of History as a stand-alone subject in the nation’s school curriculum, told his audience of very many distinguished and eminent personalities the role History stands to play in human society and how the lack of it has drifted, particularly, Nigeria to the point it currently finds itself.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the achievement of singular but multidimensional achievement, which he said will make Nigerians rediscover themselves as a people that will henceforth begin to see their diversity, once again, as one which should be a strength and not reason for conflict among one another.

“Permit me to welcome everybody here present and, in particular, my fellow traditional leaders who, I have no doubt, are equally delighted that this important subject which defines what we represent, who we are as a people, where we are coming from and the future we are aspiring to, is going to be taught to the younger generations.

“I wish to commend the bold step taken by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, in directing that history as a subject should be re-introduced at the foundational level of education. I also commend the Hon. Minister of Education for ensuring that concrete actions were taken to actualize the directive,” Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar said.

He said, “The decision to remove history subject from the school curriculum might have been informed by some justifiable reasons at the time, but subsequent developments suggest otherwise. The general reaction then was that for a country that was still evolving and grappling with issues of social cohesion, political stability and economic development, it could not afford to forget its past.

“History, to me, is much more than the study of the past. It is an interpretation and analysis of human activities and relationships which explain the present and helps to chart a course of the future. It serves as a channel for the transmission of cultures, traditions and values from one generation to another.

“It prepares the leadership group for addressing the challenges of the present and the future. It presents the essential tools for mobilising citizens’ support for the state and its governing structure.

“As the saying goes: A nation that forgets its history is one that has no future.”

The world class monarch said, “Nigeria, as a country, is still evolving and striving to achieve nationhood,” the Sultan of Sokoto, therefore, guided saying, “The rich history of its diverse constituents can be explored and exploited to serve as an effective tool for nation building.”

He said, “The people will learn from it that the foundation of modern Nigeria was not laid by the British colonialists but by the web of inter-group contacts woven over centuries and which led to the emergence of states, kingdoms and empires in the Nigerian area. What defined these polities transcended “wars” and “civil strives” that the colonial historians tend to exaggerate. They built strong relationships and institutions and achieved prosperity through inter-group social, political and economic contacts, cultural diffusion, and diplomatic exchanges.”

Citing instances the Sultan said, “There are valuable lessons that can be drawn from the study of how the Empires of Oyo, Borno, the Caliphate, the Kingdoms of Benin, Nupe, those of Opobo, Itsekiri, and autonomous communities in Igboland, succeeded in welding together the diverse groups and interests within their territories to achieve stability, prosperity and extensive influence in the period they existed.

“I guess that I will be speaking for all of us here gathered and those not here that we are glad that the subject has been returned and is being taught. This will be for the general good of the country and its future. Beyond the action already taken, I am optimistic that government at all levels will give all it takes to make the teaching of history interesting, exciting, attractive and worthwhile to all learners.

“I wish to take this opportunity to appeal to their Imperial Majesties and Royal Highnesses, as the custodians of our rich culture, traditions and values, and indeed, all Nigerians to support this bold step taken by the government and given effect by the Universal Basic Education Commission to return the teaching of history as a subject at basic education level.

“We owe it a duty to encourage research for the documentation of the history of our people and should be forthcoming in granting access to historical records in our custody. We should be in the forefront in supporting the teaching of history to our younger generation with the belief that with the knowledge of the past their future will be brighter,” he said.