By Chimezie Godfrey
Former Head of State of Nigeria, General Abdulsalami A. Abubakar, has expressed optimism that Nigeria can surmount all her present challenges and come out a better nation.
Abubakar made the assertion Thursday at the launch of the Book titled,”The Making of Modern Nigeria”, published by The Sun Publishing Company Limited.
He expressed delight to be part of the unveiling of what he described as the rich heritage of “our country engraved in an indelible form”.
He acknowledged that Nigeria is going through some challenges, he however maintained optimism that the country has what it takes to surmount its challenges.
He said,”Few days from today, our country will be celebrating its 63rd independence anniversary.It has been 63 years of continuous efforts at making the country better and for us a nation to achieve our full potential. We have seen the good. We have seen the bad. And we have hope for the best in the future.
“Nigeria is, no doubt going through some challenges. No matter what we think or say, this prevailing atmosphere of faltering steps, great anxiety, and recrimination is not peculiar to Nigeria. It is a natural phenomenon.
“The good news is that we have all it takes to surmount all our challenges and press forward to a better Nigeria. To achieve this, all hands must be on deck to change our trajectory and make it possible for Nigeria to take its pride of place in the comity of nations.
“A necessary first step to the much desired progress, is to examine how the past was charted. This is where the book we are unveiling today, The Making of Modern Nigeria – From the Pre-Colonial Era Till Date, becomes auspicious. When we know about Nigeria, we will have invaluable insights to understanding the present day challenges and the way out of the quagmire. Doing so uncannily reminds us of the exhortation of the great Chinese Philosopher, Confuscius: “Study the past if you must defied the future”.
“Knowing Nigeria’s rich past and its present will serve as a spring board for us to work for the realization of our collective aspiration in the no distant future. I believe that the Nigeria of our dreams is possible when we contribute our quota with every sense of patriotism and nationalism.
“It is commendable that this book is dedicated to “Nigeria’s founding fathers and those who believe that some good will still come out of the country”. Our generation has played its part for the making of a modern Nigeria. It is therefore for today’s and the future generations to play their roles for the making of a supersonic Nigeria.
The Elder Statesman noted that every effort at chronicling Nigeria’s past is in itself a tour de force of what was, what is, and what can be.
He recalled that Nigeria was a notable beacon of hope for the black race in the pre- independence era.
“Its achievement of independence on October 1, 1960, was both inspirational and reassuring for a host of Africa countries and indeed the larger global community. Post independence Nigeria has continued to struggle for enduring success in an increasingly complex and competitive world.
“It behoves on each and every one of us as Nigerians and friends of Nigeria to join hands in making Nigeria better and greater.
“This we can do by ensuring, peace reigns in our Country, being each other’s keeper. We should also support our Security Agencies in whatever way we can.
“The Sun Publishing Company, by this book, that we are here to unveil, has played its own part creditably. It is left for us here and those not here to not only acquire the book but also read it, in order to understand Nigeria and Nigerians. I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending this book to you,” he said.
Delivering the welcome address, the Managing Director, MD, The SUN, Onuoha Uke noted that the book launch was a crowning glory of a project that took extensive research, time, energy and intellectualism.
Uke revealed that early in the year 2020, The SUN LTD, Bridge Head Communication Ltd, and Compass Communication Ltd conceived the book with the plan to concluding it the same year to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence.
He said the project was an addition to an earlier one published in the year 2010 to commemorate Nigeria’s 50th independent anniversary.
He said,”At the conception of the project the central theme was “Diamond Nigeria” which sought the endorsement of office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation which we got in August 2020. We appreciate the office of the SGF and Mr Boss Mustapha who occupied the office at that time.thst saw expediency of the project hence the endorsement.
“We are that the baby conceived three year is finally born. The project was concluded late last year and the book printed early this year, due to the preparation for the election, and the conduct of the election itself we have to delay the public presentation till now.
“This book is a work that tells the Nigerian story highlighting different aspect of our national life, it talks about events, people and institutions, it is a book for Nigerians by Nigerians.We are happy that students of two secondary schools are here to be part of this public presentation of the book. We believe that our children should know of our country’s history. If our children do not Nigeria’s history, try will not where they are coming from, it will be difficult foe them to easily chart the road to where we are going as a nation.
“Our children and students deserve to learn history in school and at home too. Many of us in this hall could the school day when we learnt about the Oyo Empire and the Oyomesi, Queen Amina of Zaria, King Jaja of Opobo, Nana of Itsekiri, Benin Kingdom, Kanem Borno Empire, Sokoto Caliphate, and others, we knew so many things about the country, about the cultures and religions.
“We knew that a form government existed in many Nigerians kingdoms and empires with all the component of governance before the coming of colonialists. We knew that Nigeria was a place without form before the colonial masters came. We knew that kingdoms and empires existed and later made up what is known today as Nigeria.
“As history as a subject is back in the curriculum of Nigerian schools. The earlier suspension of the subject has made our children have limited knowledge of our history. The study of history is an education on tribe, country, the people and tradition. No matter dark the people’s history may be at any particular time, and the fear that its remembrance will affect national peace and cohesion, the children should know the history generally.
“Countries with worst historical challenges teaches history in their schools. It is therefore good that Nigeria has reintroduced the history. If students avoided the subject in the past, one way to make it stay is to make it compulsory in all the years in junior and senior secondary schools, that way nobody will pas through secondary schools without offering the subject at one time or another.
“In the university, Nigerian history should also be a compulsory general study for all courses in the first year. This book, the Making of Modern Nigeria from Pre-Colonial era till date is for general use, research and for teaching. After reading the book our children will be inspired by the fa t that there was a time when vehicles were manufactured in Nigeria, am taking about Peugeot, Volks Wagon and others.
“Reading the book they will be inspired that a Nigerian once won the “Miss World” am talking about Agbani Derego. Reading the book they will aspire to be like that Nigerian who in 1989 Gordon Bell’s Price for his computing application that use a mathematical form and process, am talking about Philip Ibagwali.
“Reading the book they will understand more about the cultural heritage of Nigerian people knowing tourist and historical sites. Reading the book they fully appreciate the struggle for independence, the people who play some critical role and the past and the present. It is our humble contribution to scholarship and history. We highly recommend this book to all of us.”
Other dignitaries who graced the auspicious occasion were the former Governor of Bayelsa state, Senator Seriake Dickson, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar represented, Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi represented, Emir of Zauzau represented, Imo state Governor Hope Uzodimma represented, Speaker of the House of Representatives represented, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, Chairman, United Nigeria Air Prof. Obiora, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume who was also represented, among many others.
