17th December, 2023
By Taiye Olayemi/Adeyemi Adeleye
An Author and Music Executive, Gbenga Sokefun, says unity can be fostered if children know Nigeria’s shared history of different tribes and cultures.
Sokefun, a Nigerian-American author made this remark while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos, on his new novel, ‘Adigun’,
According to him, the knowledge of history enhances understanding among the citizens of many nations.
He said adequate knowledge of various cultural beliefs and heritages in a multi-ethnic society like Nigeria remained a panacea for unity and peaceful co-existence.
“Adequate knowledge of Nigerian history cutting across the different ethnic groups, cultural heritages and religions would give room for proper understanding of one another and enhance national unity.
“Countries that have united citizenry like the United Kingdom, USA, Germany and Saudi Arabia remain united because they are united in their history and heritage.
“Why have we stopped teaching our children our history and literature?
“The day we threw history out of schools’ curriculum was the day we threw unity out of Nigeria.
“We must go back to the drawing board and ensure history is returned to our school curriculum and parents should consciously teach their children history,” he said.
Sokefun, the author of “Adigun” a Yoruba man, who portrayed some elements of history and culture especially the Igbo culture in his book, advised Nigerians to read his book to benefit from the historical facts revealed in it.
He explained that his book exposed those who contributed to the fight against colonisation, Fulani heritage and dressing, historical facts about famous Okorototi and various masqueraders peculiar to some cultures.
He said Nigeria had lots of beautiful stories yet untold that when told could help foster unity in the country.
He, however, urged Nigerian content creators to work more on telling more of Nigerian and African stories through various means like movies, video games and more.
“My knowledge and understanding of Islamic religion endeared me to love Islam as a religion, even though I am a Christian.
“Our children must be able to know enough about the struggles of late Samuel Ajayi-Crowther, Usman Dan-Fodio, Okorototi and many of our past leaders.
“We need to tell our own stories. Americans are successful because they are proud of who they are.
“We have left the international communities to relay our stories and define who we are because we are not telling our stories well enough,” Sokefun, who is also a lawyer and industrialist, said.
The author urged the Federal Government to further empower the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to create programmes that would encourage Nigerians to feel good and remain proud of their country.
‘Adigun’ is a sprawling saga that describes the experiences of two West African boys, Adigun and Chike, forced by different (though related) circumstances to spend their late teens and early adulthood in separate Western countries- the UK and the USA.
From the sun-drenched, tropical paradise of the Nigerian town of Jobore, to London, Chicago, Washington, Amsterdam, and Maryland, they both struggled with self-discovery under the dual burdens of survival in foreign lands and contending with the pressures of their culture.
Both strayed to the edges of criminality. Both crossed the lines, each dealing with blurred moral lines in their distinct ways and ended up reuniting with surprising answers to their questions about what is important in life.
Both the main characters faced fundamental challenges of becoming men under the extended shadows of their fathers.
For Adigun, this challenge includes the psychological schism caused by trying to reconcile his loyalty to his biological father and his adopted father.
Chike is determined to break free of his billionaire father’s control and build his legacy, reputation, and fortune. He breaks several rules to achieve his success until he discovers secrets about his father that brought him closer to the man, and ultimately his inheritance.
