Historian recommends ‘sense of history’ for development

Source: pointblanknews.com

A historian, Dr Chris Ogbogbo, says the study of history will go a long way in resolving some national issues affecting the country.

Ogbogbo,who is the Vice President, Historical Society of Nigeria, South West, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo on Tuesday.

The historian, who expressed worry that the leadership of the country had not encouraged the study of history enough, said the subject had the potential to make the ruling elite understand militating problems.

Ogbogbowho is also a lecturer at the University of Ibadan, described history as the study of human actions in the past and its application to understand the present as well as to predict the future.

He likened the study of history which he called an umbrella body for all other disciplines to a proverbial river which must not forget its source in order not to dry up.

According to him, the country is presently encountering a myriad of problems due to its inability to use historical approach to address them.

The lecturer expressed the need to take the study of history seriously like in the developed countries, adding that it could serve as a catalyst for national development.

``The study of history, especially the national history is compulsory for students of all disciplines as a fundamental course in many developed countries.

``How can a student study from the elementary to the university level without a basic knowledge of the history of his or her country, is that not shameful,'' he asked.

``This development, of course, accounts for why many people who assume the positions of responsibility have no sense of history as an essential ingredient of governance.''

(NAN)