society
We Must Not Let Others Write Our History – Emir Sanusi II’s Bold Call for National Reawakening
We Must Not Let Others Write Our History – Emir Sanusi II’s Bold Call for National Reawakening.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
“Until Nigerians reclaim their narrative, they will remain spectators in their own story.”
When the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, His Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II, speaks, the nation listens. Known for his fearless intellect and unflinching truth-telling, Emir Sanusi’s recent admonition (“We must not let others write our history”) is more than a passing remark; it is a thunderous call for national self-determination, intellectual revival and historical justice.
For too long, Nigeria’s story has been written by outsiders; colonial powers, foreign journalists and even local elites who inherited colonial mindsets. The tragedy is not merely that our history has been misrepresented; it is that Nigerians themselves have become detached from their own narrative. From the glorification of colonial conquest to the distortion of pre-colonial civilization, our IDENTITY has been SHAPED, EDITED and DEFINED by those who neither share our pain nor understand our potential.
Emir Sanusi’s words pierce the conscience of a generation that has forgotten that history is not just about the past, it is the foundation of a nation’s soul. As the late Chinua Achebe once wrote, “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” Nigeria has too often been the hunted (economically, politically and culturally) while others have written our story to suit their agendas.
The Colonial Distortion of African Legacy.
The colonial era did not merely conquer African lands; it conquered African minds. British colonial education portrayed Africa as a continent without civilization before Europe’s arrival, a land waiting for salvation. YET, HISTORY PROVES OTHERWISE. Long before British boots touched our soil, the Nok civilization had already produced remarkable art and metallurgy; the Benin Empire had established sophisticated governance and diplomacy; and the Kanem-Bornu Empire had engaged in trans-Saharan trade centuries before Europe knew Africa existed.
Though, the British colonial curriculum erased these truths. Instead, Nigerian children were taught about the “GLORY OF THE EMPIRE,” the “BENEVOLENCE” of colonial masters and the “CIVILIZING MISSION” that brought light to a supposedly dark continent. The consequence is a psychological dependency that still lingers today; a mental subjugation that makes many Nigerians value foreign validation over local achievement.
As the Kenyan scholar Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o powerfully observed, “The domination of a people’s language and history is the domination of their entire being.” Nigeria’s current predicament (from its confused national identity to its policy dependence on Western institutions) is a direct result of surrendering control of its historical narrative.
History Suppressed, Identity Lost.
The abolition of History as a compulsory subject in Nigerian schools in 2009 was one of the most destructive decisions ever made in our educational system. For a decade, generations of young Nigerians grew up without structured knowledge of who they are, how their nation came to be and what sacrifices built it. It took until 2019 for History to be reintroduced, a decision long overdue but still insufficient.
Sanusi’s warning reminds us that nations that forget their past lose control of their future. Japan, after World War II, rewrote its own narrative not by denying its past mistakes but by defining its postwar destiny through self-reflection and cultural pride. China, too, refused to let foreign historians dictate its identity; instead, it taught its people to see history as the blueprint of destiny.
Why then should Nigeria (the giant of Africa, home to over 200 million people and one of the most culturally diverse nations on Earth) continue to depend on foreign voices to interpret its history?
A Narrative Hijacked by the Powerful.
Today, even within Nigeria, history is being rewritten by the powerful to sanitize failure and glorify mediocrity. The heroes of truth are silenced, while the architects of national decay are celebrated as “STATESMEN.” Our children grow up knowing more about European explorers than about Nigerian patriots like Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Herbert Macaulay, Chief Arthur Prest or the great Ahmadu Bello.
The manipulation of history is not accidental; it is political. When leaders erase the memory of injustice, they erase accountability. When a society forgets where it came from, it cannot know where it is going. As Professor Wole Soyinka once warned, “The greatest threat to freedom is the erasure of memory.”
Sanusi’s intervention is thus a moral call to action, to resist the ongoing historical amnesia that allows corruption, tribalism and manipulation to thrive. It is a reminder that every Nigerian must become a CUSTODIAN of TRUTH, not a CONSUMER of PROPAGANDA.
Owning Our Story in the Digital Age.
In an era of social media and global information warfare, the control of narrative has become more critical than ever. Western media still portrays Africa as a continent of chaos, disease and corruption, conveniently ignoring its innovation, resilience and culture. The recent rise of platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) has given young Nigerians a chance to reclaim the narrative and to tell their own stories in their own voices.
However, this newfound freedom comes with responsibility. Misinformation, false history and tribal bias now threaten to replace colonial distortion with domestic distortion. As Sanusi implied, rewriting our history must not be about replacing one falsehood with another; it must be about truth.
Dr. Reuben Abati, a respected journalist and scholar, once noted, “The problem with Nigeria is not the absence of history, but the abundance of manipulated history.” It is time to cleanse our national memory through accurate documentation, honest teaching and transparent storytelling.
Reclaiming the Nigerian Narrative.
The task of rewriting Nigeria’s story belongs not only to HISTORIANS but to EVERY CITIZEN. From the CLASSROOM to the NEWSROOM, from the PULPIT to the PARLIAMENT, Nigerians must begin to assert their voices. Universities must prioritize indigenous scholarship. Filmmakers must tell stories that celebrate local heroes. Media houses must resist foreign framing. And government must institutionalize the preservation of historical archives before they are lost forever.
As the historian Toyin Falola wrote, “History is the architecture of identity. When you lose it, you lose your foundation.” Nigeria’s foundation today is shaky because the country has allowed its history to be fragmented, rewritten by the conqueror, reshaped by the corrupt and ignored by the youth.
Sanusi’s call is not merely academic; it is existential. If we do not tell our own story, others will and they will not tell it kindly.
Towards a New Narrative: The Future Belongs to Those Who Remember.
The time has come for Nigerians to rise and reclaim ownership of their narrative. Our story is not one of ENDLESS FAILURE, but of RESILIENCE; not one of POVERTY, but of PROMISE. It is the story of a people who built civilizations before Europe emerged from darkness; of artists, warriors, kings and visionaries who defined destiny long before colonial boundaries existed.
As the eminent Ghanaian historian Dr. Molefi Kete Asante asserted, “History is not the past. It is the map of the future.” The map of Nigeria’s future will remain unclear until we redraw it ourselves with honesty, courage and pride.
Emir Sanusi II has once again spoken truth to power. His message is simple but profound: NO FOREIGNER, NO POLITICIAN and NO PROPAGANDIST should be allowed to write Nigeria’s history. That responsibility belongs to Nigerians, to scholars, teachers, writers and every citizen who believes that truth not distortion, must guide our journey as a nation.
society
Stakeholders Seek Urgent Reforms to Tackle Youth Unemployment at disrupTED EduKate Africa Summit
Stakeholders Seek Urgent Reforms to Tackle Youth Unemployment at disrupTED EduKate Africa Summit
By Ifeoma Ikem
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s education sector have called for urgent and scalable solutions to address the rising rate of youth unemployment, stressing the need for strengthened technical education and increased collaboration with the private sector to bridge existing skills gaps.
The call was made at the disrupTED EduKate Africa Summit 2026, a one-day leadership forum held at the University of Lagos, where participants examined the growing disconnect between education outcomes and labour market demands.
The summit brought together education leaders, private sector operators and development advocates to promote adaptive learning, practical skills acquisition and innovative financing models for Africa’s education sector.
Experts at the summit strongly advocated increased investment in technical and vocational education, noting that training programmes must reflect current industry realities and evolving labour market needs.
Speakers emphasised that Nigeria’s education system, particularly at the tertiary level, must urgently shift from certificate-driven learning to skills-based and experiential education aligned with global best practices.
Among the speakers were Deby Okoh, Regional Manager at Brunel University of London; Ashley Immanuel, Chief Operating Officer of Semicolon; Olapeju Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation; and education advocate, Adetomi Soyinka.
The speakers highlighted the importance of continuous learning, teacher retraining and comprehensive curriculum reform to meet the demands of an increasingly technology-driven global economy.
They stressed that apprenticeship programmes, internships and hands-on training should be fully integrated into academic curricula, noting that over-reliance on theoretical qualifications has widened the employability gap among graduates.
In his remarks, Mr Tosin Adebisi, Director of EduKate Africa and convener of the summit, said the event was designed to challenge what he described as the education sector’s rigid attachment to outdated methods.
Adebisi said innovation must remain central to education reform, adding that stakeholders must rethink teaching methods, learning processes and approaches to solving challenges such as access to education, financing and employability.
He expressed confidence that sustainable solutions could be achieved through strong collaboration across education, private sector and development institutions.
Adebisi, alongside co-Director Mr Francis Omorojie, said the summit aimed at connecting stakeholders working across sectors to close existing skills and opportunity gaps for young people.
The summit also urged parents and educators to promote lifelong learning, critical thinking and adaptability among young people, stressing that education systems must evolve in line with global economic trends.
No fewer than 200 students from the University of Lagos, Lagos State University, Ojo, and other institutions participated in the summit, which was initially expected to host the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa.
In a welcome address, Prof. Olufemi Oloyede of the University of Lagos emphasised the need to shape young minds through innovation and positive thinking, noting that Africa’s development depends on the strategic use of its human and natural resources, as well as a shift towards creativity and innovation among youths.
Turning Point: Dr. Chris Okafor Resumes with Fresh Fire of the Spirit
-Steps onto the Grace Nation Pulpit After a Month-Long Honeymoon Retreat with Renewed Supernatural Power
By Sunday Adeyemi
The much-anticipated February 1, 2026 “Turning Point” service of Grace Nation has come and gone, but its impact remains deeply etched in the hearts of Grace Nation citizens across the world. The significance of the day was unmistakable—it marked the official return of the Generational Prophet of God and Senior Pastor of Grace Nation Global, Dr. Chris Okafor, to active ministerial duty as the Set Man of the commission.
The date was particularly symbolic, as Dr. Okafor had taken close to one month away from the pulpit following his wedding late last year. The period served not only as a honeymoon but also as a season of rest, reflection, and intimate fellowship with God in preparation for a greater spiritual assignment ahead.
The atmosphere at Grace Nation was electric as the Generational Prophet and his wife were received with a heroic welcome, accompanied by prophetic praise, joyful dancing, and fervent prayers. It was a celebration of return, renewal, and readiness.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Chris Okafor declared that he had returned to fully pursue the mandate God entrusted to him—winning souls for the Kingdom of God. He issued a strong warning to the kingdom of darkness, stating that light and darkness cannot coexist. According to him, the season ahead would witness intensified spiritual engagement, as the Kingdom of God advances and the forces of darkness lose ground.
“This time,” the Generational Prophet affirmed, “it will be total displacement of darkness, as the light of God shines brighter than ever.”
The Message: Turning Point
Delivering a powerful sermon titled “Turning Point,” Dr. Okafor explained that a turning point is defined as a moment when a decisive and beneficial change occurs in a situation. He emphasized that such moments are often preceded by battles.
According to him, battles do not necessarily arise because one is doing wrong, but because God desires to reveal His power and teach vital lessons through them. Every genuine battle, he noted, carries divine involvement and purpose.
Addressing the question “Why must I fight a battle?” Dr. Okafor explained that individuals who carry extraordinary grace often encounter greater challenges. “When you carry what others do not carry,” he said, “the battles that come your way are usually bigger.”
Characteristics of a Turning Point
The Generational Prophet highlighted that when a person is firmly rooted in God, no storm can uproot them. A strong spiritual foundation ensures that no battle can shake one’s destiny. He explained that prayer does not eliminate battles, but preparation through prayer guarantees victory on the evil day.
“Battles push you into your turning point when you are rooted in the Spirit,” he stated, adding that a prayerful life is essential for sustained victory and elevation.
A Supernatural Service
The Turning Point service witnessed an extraordinary move of the Holy Spirit in a fresh dimension. Deliverance, healings, miracles, restoration, and diverse testimonies filled the atmosphere as worshippers encountered the power of God during the Sunday service.
In a related development, Dr. Chris Okafor officially commissioned the ultra-modern church restaurant, Fourthman Foodies, dedicating it to God for the benefit and use of Grace Nation citizens worldwide.
The February 1 service has since been described by many as a defining moment—one that signals a new spiritual season for Grace Nation Global. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1B2Eh6B6wo/
Sunday Adeyemi is a Lagos-based journalist and society writer. He writes from Lagos.
Adron Homes Hails Ondo State at 50, Celebrates Legacy of Excellence
The Chairman, Board of Directors, Management, and staff of Adron Group have congratulated the Government and people of Ondo State on the celebration of its 50th anniversary, describing the milestone as a significant chapter in Nigeria’s federal history and a testament to visionary leadership, resilience, and purposeful development.
In a goodwill message issued to commemorate the Golden Jubilee, Adron Group noted that since its creation in 1976, Ondo State has consistently distinguished itself as a centre of honour, intellect, and enterprise. Fondly referred to as The Sunshine State, the state has produced generations of outstanding professionals, administrators, and national leaders whose contributions continue to shape Nigeria’s socio-economic and political development.
According to the company, the strength of Ondo State lies not only in its rich cultural heritage and intellectual depth, but also in the values of integrity, diligence, and excellence that define its people. These qualities, Adron noted, have remained the bedrock of the state’s enduring relevance and national impact over the past five decades.
Adron Group further commended the state’s renewed drive in recent years towards infrastructure development, economic diversification, industrial growth, and youth empowerment, describing these initiatives as indicators of a forward-looking, inclusive development agenda anchored in sustainability and long-term prosperity.
“As a corporate organisation committed to nation-building and sustainable development, Adron Group recognises Ondo State as a strategic partner in progress,” the statement read. “We commend His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Executive Governor of Ondo State, and the leadership of the state at all levels for their dedication to public service and their commitment to the advancement of the people.”
As Ondo State marks its Golden Jubilee, Adron Group joined millions of well-wishers in celebrating a legacy of excellence, strength of character, and promise, while expressing optimism that the next fifty years will usher in greater milestones in economic vitality, social advancement, innovation, and enduring peace.
The company concluded by wishing the Government and people of Ondo State continued progress and prosperity, adding that the Sunshine State remains well-positioned to shine even brighter in the years ahead.
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