Riassunto
About the Book
Can Anything Good Come Out of History? is a collection of fourteen Lectures and Papers on Nigerian History, spread over the years 1977 to 2013. Like his earlier book - History, The Historian and The Nation, The Voice of a Nigerian Historian, the burden of the lectures put together in this book is to demonstrate that History is not the useless discipline it is so often portrayed to be in our nation: that Nigeria and all her component entities, and the loyalties attached to them are products of History; that whether we realise it or not, it is History that provides that understanding of our country's multifarious peoples and their cultures which is so crucial for peaceful co-existence.
We need the knowledge which only History can provide to enable us overcome ethnic prejudice and arrogance, as well as enable us promote an attitude of "live and let live." History may not prepare those who study it for a specific profession, perhaps that is why our nation has, for so many years, neglected the promotion of the study of Nigerian History, as well as the history of other lands. Through the Lectures and Papers put together in this book, the author makes bold to declare - like another historian had done years back - that History, more than virtually every other subject, provides the knowledge for effective participation in the most crucial profession of all - that profession in which we all must be involved - THE PROFESSION OF CITIZENSHIP. That is the value of this collection of Lectures and Papers on Nigerian History which is in your hands. Read, ponder over what you read, and then proceed to answer the question which constitutes the main title of the book, namely, Can Anything Good Come Out of History?
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"The book provides the background to the author's life-long campaigns and that of the Association of African Universities and the Historical Society of Nigeria, for the indispensable values and relevance of history in nation building. The book points out that with eyes fixed on technological advancement, many are tempted to believe that History is no longer relevant to the present world. This is erroneous. History is a major instrument in policy making and has to be conscientiously made to perform that task by being studied, understood and applied."
---Bakar Usman, D.Litt., M.IoD, OON
"The central argument in this impressive collection by Professor Obaro Ikime, an extraordinary scholar of conscience and a living legend, is the relevance of history to the nation-building project and trauma in Nigeria. Grounded in over half a century of practical experience, deep maturity, responsible scholarship, and intense passion, profound perspectives emerge on Nigeria and Nigerianisation in the larger context of Europeanisation, westernisation, and globalisation. . . Ikime's thematic approach combined with the subtle emphasis on stability and progress will appeal to a new generation of students. The dramatic subject provides the requisite ground for scholarly debate, and the author's vivid style makes it a pleasure to read."
---Toyin Falola, University Distinguished and Teaching Professor, and Jacob and Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities, The University of Texas at Austin.
Informazioni sull'autore
The Venerable Professor Obaro Ikime is a retired Professor of History of the University of Ibadan, where he served from 01 October, 1964 to 15 October, 1990. He became Professor of History on O1 October, 1973. He is the acknowledged pioneer in the field of Inter-Group Relations in Nigeria. His other areas of specialisation are History of the Western Niger Delta; the British Conquest of Nigeria and its aftermath, British Colonial Rule in Nigeria. Professor Obaro Ikime is the single author of seven books, among them, Merchant Prince of the Niger Delta The Rise and Fall of Nana Olomu, Last Governor of the Benin River (1968. Reprinted 1994 and 2016); Niger Delta Rivalry Itsekiri-Urhobo Relations and the European Presence 1884-19936, 1969); The Isoko People. A Historical Survey (1972); The Fall of Nigeria The British Conquest (1977); History, The Historian and The Nation The Voice of a Nigerian Historian (2006, reprinted 2008). He has contributed chapters to twelve books and is the Editor, Groundwork of Nigerian History, first published by the Historical Society of Nigeria in 1980, and co-Editor with Michael Crowder of West African Chiefs Their Changing Status Under Colonial Rule and Independence. While at Ibadan, Ikime served as Director, Institute of African Studies; two times as Head of the Department of History; and as Dean, Faculty of Arts. He was President, History Society of Nigeria, March 1984 – April 1988. While at Ibadan, Ikime was at different times Visiting Professor of African History, University of California, Los Angeles, and at Beckley; Harvard University Summer School and the University of Benin. He was National Secretary, University of Ibadan Alumni Association, November 1975 – November 1983. After retirement, he served as Professor of History (on contract), Bayelsa State University, Wilberforce Island, for three years. Ikime joined the ordained ministry of the Diocese of Ibadan, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Commission, in December 1995, and served until 2007. Made a Deacon in December 1995, he was priested in 1996, preferred Canon, 2002 and preferred Archdeacon in December 2006. He lives in Ibadan.
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