By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN) is set to unveil a landmark book titled “Military Factor in Nigerian History, 1960-2018” as part of activities to celebrate its 70th Anniversary.
The Acting President of the Society, Prof. Zara Kwaghe, made this known while briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.
Kwaghe said the book was edited by Professors Christopher Ogbogbo, a former president of the Society and the current Vice Chancellor of Admiralty University Ibuzor (ADUN), late CCC Osakwe and VS Akran.
She added that there would also be an official unveiling of the 70th HSN/the 6th Association of African Historian (AAH) Congresses.
According to her, HSN, which is the first academic society to be registered in Nigeria, was established in 1955 by its founding fathers, Professors, K.O. Dike and Abdullahi Smith at the University of Ibadan.
The acting President said the book presentation scheduled for Wednesday, would be chaired by the former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, while the immediate past Defence Chief, Gen. Lucky Irabor, would deliver the keynote address.
“Other eminent personalities to grace the occasion are the Chief Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police and other heads of security agencies.
“The book launch is one of the series of programmes lined up for the platinum celebration.
“The theme of the 70th Anniversary celebration is “70 years of Resilience: Honouring Nigeria’s Past, Envisioning its Future”.
“The celebration presents an opportunity to reflect on the Society’s achievements, honour the contributions of pioneering historians and scholars who laid the foundation for the Society, and inspire future generations to carry forward the torch of historical inquiry and preservation.
“Upcoming programmes include; a Colloquium in Ibadan, Nsukka and Zaria, History Teaching Methodology Workshop to be hosted by the Federal University of Lokoja and the pivotal 70″ Congresses of the HSN and AAH slated for Oct. 12 to Oct. 17,” she said.
A former President of the society, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, said the anniversary celebration was to showcase the society’s effort in celebrating the advancement of history as an academic discipline, cultural embodiment and way of tracking Nigeria’s trajectory over time and space.
Ochefu represented the Chairman, National Coordinating Council for HSN@70, retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.
He said that HSN had had Congresses every year for the past 70 years without fail, adding that they felt the need to put a lot of activities together to showcase what they had been doing over the years.
He said the society had ensured that the subject of history returned to school in Nigeria, adding that the society had fought to return history as a compulsory subject at all levels of education.
“It was the immediate past government of President Buhari, whose minister, Adamu Adamu, that finally laid out that the National Council of Education was installing history to be taught at the primary school and junior secondary school.
“So it is back and teachers are being trained, textbooks have been written, conferences and workshops are being held to train teachers to see how they can continue the whole process of engagement with the discipline,” he said. (NAN)
