Ani, Uchenna S. Ph.D., MHSN
Department of History and Strategic Studies,
Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Nigeria
uchennaani05@yahoo.com
and
Ezeonwuka Innocent-Franklyn O. Ph.D., MHSN
Department of History International Studies
Godftrey Okoye University, Enugu, Nigeria
egbuacho@gmail.com , +2348033096134
ABSTRACT
For post-literate, pre-literate and illiterate societies; from the earliest time up to the contemporary
period, history has continued to inform, equip and drive humanity through the vicissitudes of life
on earth. Pre-dating man and very much in consonance with time, history not only “breathe”, but
constantly bequeathson the living innumerable lessons and a wide array of reasonable
alternatives, thereby accentuating the minimization of faults and hazardous risks. The importance
of history for the “Nigerian Country” in its strides towards catching up with the blazing 21st
Century global developmental trends, is simply beyond textbook analysis. However, since
history is simply larger than life, the study in trying to explain the pathological condiments that
give history its identity and form, undertook the pains of examining the subject matter vis-à-vis
Nigeria’s intended national cohesion and development through the multi-dimensional prism.
With history, tomorrow has just began.
Key words: History, Reconstruction, Historiography, Identity
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Introduction
This discourse cannot easily flow without due consideration of what history really is. Attempts at
giving meaning to what constitutes history, the nature and content of history and the proper
definition of history may either miniaturize the subject matter or expose the great pessimism,
ignorance and emptiness prevalent even in the psyche of many Nigerian elites. Since mere
storytelling is not history, and because recounting of incidents in the past is equally not history,
(Carr: 1961) declared that history cannot go anywhere if, in its study, we have no sense of the
future. It is the history that stretches along the entire process, providing a useful link between the
past, present and the future, rather than a mere dialogue between past and present.History is ongoing dialogue between the events of the past and progressively emerging future ends. By
implication, it is an aphorism to state that history bothers itself with the past, present and future
circumstances in the light of their connectivity. Suffice it to equally say that the concept of
history oscillates on an acknowledged stored essential knowledge, constantly fed through the
interactive forces of the human society and the physical environment. Since every human draws
from this common pool, and equally contributes in growing and sustaining it, everyone in one
way or another is a historian. One must be cautions at this juncture in so much as the art of
historical writing and consideration insists on strict compliance with the tenets of certain
professional guidelines, hence all information must follow certain sequence before being adopted
and classified as History. History is factual.
Why History?
Since history has proved to be the repository of human knowledge which presupposes by
implication in its omnipresent structure, whether irritating, dejected, derived, avoided or desired,
remains as an existential force, acquired, stored and transmitted in each field of study, hence
Environmental history, Marine history, legal history, military history, among others.
Consequently, the importance of history to any nation stems from the people’s need and
attraction to credible and factual information, which when digested and synthesized, provides
error-proof decisions and clues. The evolutionary transformations involved in the intricate
process of nation building is simply driven by human knowledge and common sense. It is only in
the warehouse of history that the necessary intellectual resource that would spur and project
state-craftry to the next level of development is embedded. The value of history is neither in its
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exciting imageries and exploits nor in its ‘boos’ and ‘woos’, but in the convoluted intrigues and
dominant manifestations of selfish interests, common sense, fact, skill, bravado and subtleness
emergent and played out by man.
Rowse, an Oxford Historian has observed with great concern that:
Great has been the conquests of natural science in our time – such
that many think of ours as a scientific age par excellence. It is even
more urgent and necessary that advances should be made in the
social sciences if we are to gain control of the forces of nature
loosed upon us (Rowse; 1962).
The above observation is not intended to disparage the many milestone achievements of the
technological and computer age, but fully aware of these marvelous and stupendous
achievements, it is pertinent to note that ‘we stand to perish by our scientific marvels if we fail to
make advances in the social sciences and thereby use our scientific knowledge wisely (Eluwa,
1980:14). Dedicated towards studying both the done and undone human and environmental
happenings of the past vis a vis the basic goal of the human society,history remains crucial as one
of the pivotal social sciences to which advances should be made for adequate control of the
vagaries of our natural existence. By unveiling what man had projected and achieved in the past,
or at what and where he had failed, history can shed enormous light on planning and execution,
particularly in the area of Nigeria’s national development.
At this juncture, this study deems it worthwhile to enumerate certain apparent benefits derivable
from the study of history, before aggregating its many beneficial indices to Nigeria’s growth and
development.
- In its ability to equip one with an encyclopedic knowledge about the world, it bequeaths
variety and colour, enriching environmental perception, orientating one with the
bewildering currents of human diversity, such as that of Nigeria; it familiarizes us with
variations in social forms and cures of a morbid dread of other cultures and change
(Falola, 1989). - Like a compass and guide in time-travel into the future, history provides hope and
resolution with which to tackle the present and then the capability of demystifying the
future, after all Collingwood maintained that ‘the past which a historian studies’ is not a
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dead past, but a past which in some sense is still living in the present, and will indeed,
continue to influence the future (Collingwood, 1969). - Since judgement, sound reasoning, capacity for argument and clarity of expressions
remain the major ingredients impacted by history, and applied by historians when
interpreting and sieving his materials, it behooves then that these qualities, being not
contestable as needful to national policy technocrats, clearly portray the ambience in
history. - While serving as a unifying factor in nation-building through unearthing and tracing the
evolutionary growth and inter-group relationship that existed amongst the diverse culture
groups prior to being fused as a nation, it not only inspires a sense of shared community
and cohesion, but a true sense of patriotic national identity. - The importance of history to both arts and the sciences is sacrosanct. It is only history
that continues to harbor all theories, laws and practices, in the past, present and in the
future, embodied as an educational process for engineers, doctors, pharmacists, lawyers
amongst others, for successive generations, and impacted through the historical process. - Towards avoiding the repetition of previous human or national mistakes, history in its
provision of foresight forewarns, assures and guides towards progressive achievements
propelled by strategic decisions. The mere fact that history is full of the examples of
nations and communities who in the other hour of their confusion, resurrection and
growth, looked back to their ancestors, their culture, for guidance and inspiration,
acknowledges the great value in it.
Twenty first century Nigeria is bedeviled by enormous political, social and economic challenges
which appears to be growing in leaps and bounds by the day. From institutionalized corruption,
ethno-religious altercation, massive unemployment, poverty, heightened insecurity and terrorism,
to governmental impunity and gross human rights violations,Nigeria appears to be on the
precipice. Many governmental sectors, including the educational, health and the productive base
remain in a quagmire. Operating largely on a mono-economy of oil and import-dependent, a
comatose energy sector and highly insecure environment, potential investors continue to remain
skeptical and aloof. Paradoxically, the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria’s under-developmental
regime has continued to portray it as the potential ‘poor capital of the world’ considering many
global statistical indices. The caveat is that Nigeria’s economy may be growing, but not
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developing (Ezeonwuka 2014) Nigeria still lacks the enabling domestic infrastructure, the
national unity, social consciousness, and the structural skeleton to propel and drive its federation
and nationhood. There is a predominant eclipse of fraternal confidence, mutual distrust and
suspicion arising from the differences in the many Nigerian pluralistic cleavages. So long as
these primordial, parochial, and prebendal stereotypes continue to flourish in the national psyche,
discrimination must continue to remain a disruptive wedge to Nigeria’s national
development.Cognizant of Nigeria’s depressed economy, evidenced in the chequered gait of its
political life, the prognosis appear poor.In the midst of massive national poverty, unemployment
and perpetual grumbling, a silent and bewildered populace enjoys the criminal loathing of
Nigeria’s national heritage. Be that as it may, the six dimensions of governance coined by the
World Bank as Governance Indicators Project, speak to the heart of the challenges Nigeria faces
– voice and accountability, absence of violence and political stability, government effectiveness,
regulatory quality, rule of law and control of corruption.
Strengthening these six dimensions through exploring and exploiting the values and condiments
inherent in Nigeria’s national history, would help the nation along the path of recovery, growth
and development. For the Nigerian federation to be able to robustly and confidently forge ahead
on the path of development, originality, innovativeness, relevance, fair play and merit must be
allowed to drive national engagements. These would in turn stir and sustain basic societal values
needed for nation-building-integrity, honesty, justice, dedication, truthfulness and
trustworthiness. Nigeria cannot continue to copy and implement certain incomprehensible and
irrelevant alien politico-cultural values, while discarding and relegating its own to the
background.Through the compulsory teaching of history in primary and tertiary institutions in
Nigeria, history as the principal bridge between yesterday’s and today’s societies, could isolate
certain pragmatic elements embedded in the various enviable pasts of the many culture-groups in
Nigeria. Such fundamental values would drive continuity, change and development.Language,
culture and values remain very important ingredients of a people’s identity, and such can only be
protected and transmitted through history, through such questions like – who are we? Where are
we? What have we been doing since we got here? In making available past replica scenarios in
all human and societal endeavours, opportunities for possible evaluation and amendments are
created for better results, hence Nigeria’s march towards national development would continue
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to remain elusive without a conscious national integration and understanding, which vehicle
could only be provided by history.
In reconstructing; whether through the archival materials, oral tradition, myths and legends,
archeology, ethnography written sources, among others, history rehabilitates and restores
decisive choice in human endeavours, providing always, reasonable alternatives. Adolf Hitler of
Germany received his first defeat during the Second World War in 1945 sequel to the Russian
winter, due to the fact that he obstinately failed to observe how the same ‘Russian winter made a
mess of Napoleon’s 1812 invasion of Russia.In Nigeria, several governments have continued to
engage in many developmental projects on yearly basis unsuccessfully due to enormous
structural challenges. So long as the same pattern is adopted devoid of anticipated problems and
eventualities on the way, veritable room for improvement and better results remain marginalized.
The same way kolanut lasts long in the mouth of those that cherish it, history pathologically
imbued with its good and bad, sweet and bitter, remain the guiding light of great sovereignties
like the United States of America, where there is a permanent chair reserved for a professional
historian who advices the President. Yes, Nigeria can learn great lessons from the Apartheid
interregnum in South Africa, the Rwanda genocide; yes Nigeria could beat its chest boldly for
having participated actively in the ECOMOG operations in Liberia, and Sierra Leone; again
Nigeria could proudly take credit of having successfully participated in several United Nations
sponsored Peace-Keeping Operations. Undoubtedly, myriads of lessons and experience have
been learnt and gathered by the nation through these engagements, but the product of such
lessons remain a high sound nothing. Could it be merely another manifestation of Nigerian’s
penchant and passion for foreign things and issues? Otherwise, how could one possibly explain
the fact the country having practically experienced worst scenarios as portrayed in the genocidal
Nigeria – Biafra War, the Maitatsine revolts, the unending Boko Haram imbroglio, the Kaduna,
Zamfara and Benue killings, coupled with the Fulani Herdsmen and Farmers crisis, has rather
decided to sweep these under the carpet as evidenced through cosmetic approach to national
agitations and grievances.
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The way forward
Just as these challenges are cast and relayed through historical information, Nigerians are not
only in pains, but continue to feel betrayed in their poverty and dilemma, sequel to the
dysfunctional strategic silence in the national political behavior. The relevance of history in
Nigeria’s present quagmire must come from the interdisciplinary relationship with the politicosocial, scientific and economic development of human society through follow-up information,
evaluation and ethical projections, corrections and reforms. It is only through history which is
replete with examples and incidents, that the ugly consequences of Nigeria’s existential
experience could be corrected, hence Agbodike postulates thus:
History teaches that if ShehuUthman Dan Fodio made possible the
Islamic revolution which changed Hausa land from 1804, determined
and properly motivated Nigerians of today can also revolutionize
contemporary Nigerian Society and set us on the path to our desired
goal, especially that of the economic recovery, welfare, progress and
development of our rural areas. (Agbodike, 2006).
Nigeria’s national policy should emphasize rather than neglect history, in order to terminate the
peril the nation is heading to.That people learn nothing from history is only an aphorism which is
only partially true. It means no more than that people do forget what they learn from history, or
that they do not always fully appreciate the significance and meaning of the salutary admonitions
of history (Ifemesia, 1982:2). By exposing the weak and the strong, the glorious and the
inglorious aspects of human nature vis a vis the actions and behvaiours of Nigeria’s past leaders
through reasoned judgement, history draws one by the ears and warns of the consequences of bad
leadership, especially on the nation’s youths, who may be leaders of tomorrow. In the same
manner poor planning and execution under General Gowon and Obasanjo’s regimes between
1976 and 1979 led to frivolous expenses in worthless ventures like FESTAC, preferring to
neglect Nigerian rural areas in conspicuous underdevelopment, today the country is in for it in
misery, hunger, unemployment and abject poverty, simply because the lessons of history were
overlooked. Today, oscillating on a mono-economy of oil which is fast losing its value and
relevance in the international economic system, Nigeria has chosen to remain adamant and deaf
to all sincere admonitions towards economic diversification, even in the face of surmounting
historical evidence globally. It is disheartening that even in the twenty-first century, Nigeria is
still largely import dependent. It behoves on history as factual information to not only bear
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sincere witness and provide clarity where elements of doubt exists, but provide equitable avenue
for closure, reparation and reconciliation. American homogeneity and democratic greatness
today hinges on its historic revolutionary war of 1776 and moreso on its Civil War experiences.
On the other hand, the French still rely on the lessons and gains of its 1789 revolution.
Fortunately, the above-mentioned countries still rely on and extract certain lessons resonating
from these historic incidents of theirs. Nigeria is advantaged to have had such a theatre of history
in the Nigeria-Biafra War, but certain sinister actors rather prefer to throw all that has to do with
it, including its lessons and gains into the dustbin of history. It’s rather disheartening to observe
how the many ingenious Biafran technological inventions remain officially discarded and undervalued by the Nigerian government. Nigeria’s technological weapon advancement, including the
indigenous local variant in crude oil refining, among others, would have moved in leaps and
bounds.
History is not intended to merely remind one of his miseries, but rather to provide a chance at a
graphic and constructive assessment of past actions, hence providing avenues for alternative
better future results. It is only history that can interrogate and unbundle Nigeria’s terrible and
metastatic colonial heritage. Though prognosis for Nigeria’s national cohesion and development
continues to look gloomy by the day, all hopes are not lost. In the midst of deep-seated distrust
and suspicion tailored into the primordial psyche of the Nigerian core Northerner, and as long as
this is constantly triggered through an umbilical cord tied to the London’s Chatam House, the
nation’s quest for evolved choice and proactive development would remain a mirage.
Empowering through historical information would simply evacuate prebendal and
myopiccleavages and by so doing,catalyse Nigeria into the developmental arena. Constitutions
guiding all countries are simply a piece of history which holds sacrosanct those countries’ values
and guidelines.Since the Nigerian constitution is an important chunk of Nigeria’s history, and so
long as dynamic change remain a continuum in life, history must continue to drive, motivate and
roll like the sun, pre-empting and recording dreams and milestones in people and society.
History has continued to prove that ethnic/religious undercurrents command Nigerian elections,
and when such effort at democratization marginalize freedom of choice and fairness, mediocrity
is promoted, ‘reciprocal distrust in inter-personal relations, mutual suspicion and frictions in
trans-ethnic transactions and the eventual conception of electoral contest as inter group warfare
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or battle (Kalu, 1986:23). History has consistently drawn attention to the fact that it is possible to
blunt the edge of any problems created by the apparently bewildering diversity in our social
system and experience. In the light of this, it teaches us that it is mutual ignorance that generates
and feeds mutual distrust and conflict (Afigbo, 1982:1). By knowing the cultural background and
antecedents of one’s immediate and mediate neighbours, one could better appreciate their merits
and defects, and so be disposed to tolerate them and thereby generate minimum friction and
conflict (Ifemesia, 1980:34). In the valley of misconceptions and alienating primordialism and
blatant stereotypes, intergroup ignorance has flagrantly persisted. However, history does not
relent efforts in painting out that it is not impossible for these tenacious pluralistic Nigerian
groups to achieve unity, not necessarily uniformity, at all levels of their political, social,
economic and cultural organizations. Emphasis should be layed on those aspects that unite,
hence; though they do not have a common indigenous language, they do believe in
multilingualism. Above all, they do feel (or are beginning to feel) that they constitute a nation
(Ifemesia, 1982:31).
Ifemesia goes on to reiterate thus on the national importance of history, through the following
summation:
Man has from his very beginning learnt from experience,
and has distilled and used lessons of history. Like every
individual, every nation needs history and learns from
history, at least as an anchor for its present and a
compass for its future (Ifemesia, 1982:2).
Conclusion
Belief in progress is constantly being propelled and motivated by memories of successes, the
dreams of conquering new heights and leaving legacies, and even by inventing plausible
corrections to why we failed where we did, hence every society remain poised towards dynamic
consistency in transformation (developmental change). According to Afigbo, it is only history
that can tread in the direction of mutual accommodation, patience and forbearance, common
destiny and identity (Afigbo; 1983:15). In its inter disciplinary nature and structural context,
history retains a manifest destiny in the development of human societies, hence its ability to
prove through the assessment of the indices of development and governance that mere payment
of workers’ salaries and fixing of roads could rather than pass as achievements, be regarded as
political campaign promises.
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