ISGPP Book Reader’s Club to engage Olutayo Adesina’s Nigeria in the Twentieth Century: History, Governance and Society
Evidence from literature asserts the important role of history especially with regards to understanding human societies. However the structure and content of these historical narratives is very important due to its capacity to shape the actions and opinion of its readers. Greater emphasis therefore has been laid on the need for works of history to be bereft of bias and factual as much as possible. The above gives impetus and rationalizes the publication of books like “Nigeria in the Twentieth century”, a piece aimed at providing a detailed but diverse account of the Nigerian history especially during the century when the country was birthed.
The lead author introduces the book by stating the role of historians, memory and the importance of giving an honest account of events and avoiding the pitfalls of selective memory. This is followed by a historical exploration of the colonial experience of Nigeria with momentary reference to events such as the World War II that influenced the decolonization process of the country, the pattern of trading activities particularly in South-West Nigeria and the events that culminated in the establishment of Nigeria’s pride, the University College Hospital. The book’s reference to historical speeches and memoirs and inclusion of narratives on perennial topical issues within the Nigerian socio-political space namely: democracy, true federalism and sub-national governments reaffirms it’s richness.
Understanding the need for further interrogation of books to identify and elaborate on historical nuances that are relevant to the deciphering the present Nigerian socio-political cum developmental quagmire; the Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy’s Book Readers Club has identified, “Nigeria in the Twentieth Century: History, Governance and Society as the book to be read at this month’s Book Reading Event.
The event which will be Chaired by Amb. Ayo Olukanni (Former Nigerian High Commissioner to Australia); will be bringing together authors, scholars, academics and lay readers who will actively participate and generate cogent ideas from Nigeria’s past and present which could be deployed into policy dialogues for the future. The Lead reviewer for the Book reading event is Prof. Oka Obono (Director, Centre for Human Resource Development/Chair, Demography and Population Studies Unit, Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan) while Mr Aminu Ali (Lecturer, Department of Sociology, Bayero University Kano) will be acting as the co-reviewer. Dr Nathaniel Danjibo (Lecturer Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan), Mr Edmund Obilo (Director of Bilficom Media) and Mrs Edem Ossai (Founder/Executive Director, Mentoring Assistance for Youths & Entrepreneurs Initiative –MAYEIN) are some of the experts that will be leading the discussion of the book.
Other details of the event are as follows:
Date: 22nd February, 2018
Time: 11am
Venue: ISGPP premises, No 24, Awolowo Road, Bodija, Ibadan. Oyo State, Nigeria
With the stage set for a robust intellectual engagement, the Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy is happy to welcome the public to this month’s book reading event. It is our hope that significant policy imperatives will emerge from the day’s discourse, enhance the re-configuration of the Nigerian policy space and promote good governance in the country.
