Don Wants History Taught In Nigerian Schools

The Director-General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Prof. Tunde Babawale, on Wednesday called for the re-introduction of history in secondary schools’ curriculum in Nigeria.

Babawale made the call while delivering a lecture, organised by the Lagos First Generation Colleges Association at King’s College, Lagos.

The theme of the lecture was “History, Youth and Nigeria’s Transformation.”

Babawale said that history was the only means by which a people’s identity could be determined and distinguished from other peoples.

“History is a form of document which interprets and analyses what is significant to people as individuals, groups, communities, societies and nations.

“It also provides the guide to life and helps in the search for wisdom.

“If our youths must be prepared for the challenges of the present and the future, we must make the study of history and culture compulsory at all levels of our educational system,” he said.

The professor of political economy at the University of Lagos, noted that history was capable of ensuring continuity and tracking changes in the society.

Describing it as inevitable in any society, Babawale said many youths deviated from societal norms because they were not exposed to their history and culture.

According to him, any society that ignores history is like a river that ignores its source.

“Such a society that ignores its history will dry up.”

Babawale identified some of the ills that the youth had entangled themselves with for ignoring culture and history as high vulnerability to sexually-transmitted diseases, lack of patriotism and the “get-rich-quick syndrome”.

The don stressed the need to expose Nigerian youths to leadership and decision-making situations as well as transiting them smoothly into adulthood.

He called on the private sector to assist government in ensuring that youths engaged themselves meaningfully to contribute to national development.

“The private sector should assist the government by providing job opportunities for our youths to enable them to contribute their quota to national development,” Babawale added.

On the role of religious organisations and traditional institutions in youth development, Babawale urged the organisations and socio-cultural groups to help provide what he called “moral compass” for youths.

According to him, this will help Nigeria to overcome its challenges and inculcate in its citizens the spirit of “live and let live.

“Our problems can only be solved through non-violent but persuasive discussions, dialogue and sincere appraisal of our challenges and prospects.

“It is only when we give our youths the sense of belonging and build the culture of peace that we can achieve our much-desired transformation.

“Parents on their parts must also be alive to their responsibilities by creating culturally-sensitive guidance systems and providing the resources needed for proper growth and development of the youth to contribute to the society,” Babawale said.

The don noted that because of urbanisation and the changing economic situation, parents and the elderly no longer had time to impart cultural values in young people.

“This had hampered the ability of the youth to understand and appreciate the beauty of African culture.

“That is why they are dangerously exposed to Western values transmitted via the media.

“The energy and activism that should propel our youths in our cultural setting towards productive ventures were being diverted into counter-productive and extra-legal activities.

“This is easily understandable when we realise that the society itself prepares the ground and the enabling environment for crime to thrive,” Babawale said.