society

Why History Must Be Taught and Remembered

Published

9 months ago

September 6, 2025

Sahara Weekly

Why History Must Be Taught and Remembered.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by Saharaweeklyng.com

Forget the past and you’ll be forced to live it again; Nigeria is already starting to wake up.

History is not an academic luxury. It is the country’s sternest teacher, the ledger of collective consequence and the only honest mirror that shows us how we failed and why. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” wrote George Santayana; this is not a dusty aphorism to pin on a classroom wall. It is an instruction manual we have willfully left unread. When a nation forgets its history it does not simply lose stories; it loses memory, moral compass, judgment and ultimately, the capacity to choose a different tomorrow.

In Nigeria today, forgetting is not passive. It is active neglect: textbooks that skim over inconvenient truths, civic education squeezed out of curricula, institutions that fail to record and teach the consequences of past errors. The cost is measurable and repeated misgovernance, recycled patronage networks, periodic violence that re-enacts old scars and policy choices that ignore lessons learned in blood and ruin. If history is a map of past mistakes and triumphs, then Nigerians are driving blindfolded through familiar potholes while insisting the road is new.

Why teach history? First, history equips citizens with context. Without context, events become isolated shocks rather than symptoms. The 1967–1970 Civil War (the Biafran War), the long decades of military rule with recurrent coups/counter-coups and the structural economic choices made during the Structural Adjustment era did not occur in a vacuum, they grew from sequences of political miscalculation, exclusion and impunity. Understanding these sequences matters because patterns repeat: GRIEVANCES UNADDRESSED BECOME GRIEVANCES WEAPONIZED. The broad sweep of Nigeria’s modern political trauma is well documented; to ignore it is to invite DÉJÀ VU.

Second, history teaches judgment. Facts alone are inert and interpretation animates them into wisdom. When young people learn that autocratic shortcuts once crippled civic institutions and squandered public trust, they can judge proposals that promise quick fixes. When they learn how corruption metastasized under weak oversight and how weak states left citizens vulnerable, they are less likely to romanticize the next strongman who promises order in exchange for liberty. Good history resists slogans; it trains citizens to ask, “Who benefits?” and “At what cost?” UNESCO and contemporary historians argue that HISTORY EDUCATION STRENGTHENS CRITICAL THINKING and DEMOCRATIC RESILIENCE; an indispensable bulwark against easy populism.

Third, history builds identity without myth. Nations that remember honestly can celebrate achievements and mourn failures simultaneously. The danger is not that history will unsettle pride; the danger is that it will be simplified into myths that obscure cause and effect. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie warned us about “the danger of a single story”: when a society accepts only one version of its past, it denies breadth, nuance and the plurality of experiences that make reconciliation and learning possible. Teaching multiple, competing narratives (including the voices of marginalized Nigerians) is not historical indulgence; it is democratic necessity.

Fourth, history deters impunity by naming consequences. Memory is a form of accountability. When public tragedies, human-rights abuses or corrupt betrayals are recorded and taught, they become part of the collective conscience; forgetting them normalizes transgression. Conversely, nations that institutionalize remembrance (through museums, truth commissions, public archives and mandatory curricula) make it harder for NEW LEADERS to CLOAK OLD CRIMES in SLOGANS. The lesson is not vindictiveness; it is prevention.

Some will object: “History is weaponized. It is used to inflame, to divide.” That risk exists, precisely because history is powerful. The solution is not amnesia; it is rigorous, honest, pluralistic education. Sell the binary of “history equals tribal grudge” and you guarantee perpetual cycles of recrimination. Teach history well, with source-criticism, empathy and comparative perspective and you inoculate citizens against simplistic redemptions and cynical political rewriting.

PRACTICAL STEPS NIGERIA MUST TAKE ARE STRAIGHTFORWARD AND URGENT.

Restore history to the core curriculum. Not as rote memorization, but as SOURCE-DRIVEN inquiry that trains students to evaluate evidence, weigh causation and draw lessons for civic life. Scholarly work on history education shows the subject’s central role in forming critical and CIVIC-MINDED CITIZENS not merely exam-takers.

Fund public history and archives. National and state archives, museums and memorials must be resourced to collect and preserve documents, oral histories and artifacts. Memory requires preservation; preservation costs money and political will.

Support independent scholarship and pedagogy. Universities and teacher-training colleges should be incentivized to research under-taught episodes (e.g., regional injustices, labour movements, youths/women’s activism) and train teachers to present complex narratives without sectarian spin.

Promote civic rituals of remembrance. Annual commemorations, responsibly curated exhibits and truth-and-reconciliation style forums can ritualize memory in ways that educate rather than inflame.

Make media partners in public education. Documentaries, serialized radio programs and investigative journalism can reach millions and translate complex histories into accessible narratives for citizens outside classrooms.

History is not only about the great men and battles; it is about ordinary people’s lives, the markets that closed, the clinics that shut, the communities displaced and the laws never passed. When a country loses these storylines, it loses the means to care for its own future.

Llet us be blunt: Nigeria’s current crises (whether economic mismanagement, insecurity or fragile institutions) have roots that would be obvious to anyone who bothered to read a proper civic history. We can trace policy missteps and political bargains to their sources. We can point to moments when accountability was surrendered and warn that surrender is contagious. To insist otherwise is to practice collective amnesia.

Finally, teaching history is a moral act. It affirms that the lives of the LONG-SILENCED matter. It says to those who suffered and to their descendants: we remember you; we will not let your sacrifice be erased. That moral commitment is what transforms memory into prevention.

If Nigerians choose to sleepwalk, future generations will inherit the bills for today’s neglect: loss of lives, diminished opportunity and a republic that has forgotten how it fell apart before. If we choose instead to teach history honestly and widely, we create citizens equipped to recognize patterns, challenge repetition and demand accountable governance.

History is knocking. The question is whether Nigeria will open the door with curiosity, humility and courage or keep sleepwalking into the same darkness.

The lesson of Santayana’s warning is not FATALISM; it is invitation: REMEMBER, LEARN and ACT.

society

Police Officers Detained as Family Property Dispute Sparks Demolition Controversy in Lagos

Published

3 days ago

June 2, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Police Officers Detained as Family Property Dispute Sparks Demolition Controversy in Lagos

By Ifeoma Ikem

A property dispute within the Omotayo-Ojo family has taken a dramatic turn following a controversial demolition exercise at a residential building in Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos State, which reportedly left tenants displaced and led to the detention of some police officers allegedly involved in the operation.

The property, located at 23B Loveall Street, Ikosi-Ketu, has been the subject of a prolonged ownership tussle since the death of its owner, Chief Oludola Omotayo Ojo, the Babaalaje of Imesi-Ile, Osun State, in 2019.
Residents said tension erupted when a group of individuals, accompanied by security operatives, stormed the premises and commenced demolition activities.

According to eyewitnesses, portions of the building were pulled down while tenants rushed to salvage their belongings from affected apartments.

The residents alleged that windows, doors and roofing sheets were damaged during the exercise, exposing parts of the building to the elements and causing significant losses to occupants.

At the centre of the dispute is Mrs Mojisola Omotayo Ojo Alolagbe, who claimed that the property was allocated to her by her late father during his lifetime as a source of financial support.

She alleged that some family members had persistently challenged her ownership claim despite ongoing legal proceedings relating to the administration of the deceased’s estate.
Alolagbe further claimed that the latest incident was part of a series of attempts to wrest control of the property, citing previous cases of alleged vandalism and partial demolition in November 2025, January 2026 and February 2026.

The situation escalated further when reports emerged that police officers allegedly involved in the demolition were later apprehended and conveyed in a Black Maria vehicle over questions surrounding the legality of their participation in the operation.

Sources familiar with the matter said those behind the demolition had initially claimed to be acting on approval from the Lagos State Ministry of Lands. However, the authenticity and extent of such approval could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.

The development has generated concern among residents and community members, who questioned the involvement of security personnel in what they described as a civil matter.

Some tenants, who said they had recently renewed their tenancy agreements, lamented the destruction of their property and appealed to the authorities for protection and possible compensation.

They also called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the demolition, insisting that the rights of all parties involved should be protected.
Stakeholders have urged the Lagos State Government, security agencies and the judiciary to intervene and ensure that the dispute is resolved through lawful means to prevent further escalation.

The controversy has continued to draw public attention, raising concerns over property rights, estate administration and the role of law enforcement agencies in civil disputes.

society

UKA Gears Up for Final ATC Exchangeability Test Run as June Preparations Begin

Published

5 days ago

May 30, 2026

Sahara Weekly

UKA Gears Up for Final ATC Exchangeability Test Run as June Preparations Begin.

May 30, 2026 – As the month of June gathers momentum, the *United Kingdom of Atlantis, UKA*, a sovereign nation has unveiled a series of vital guidelines and preparatory packages to ensure citizens and stakeholders run the *ATC Exchangeability* process effectively.

In an official update, the *President of Atlantic Crown Limited, Empress of Attica Empire UKA*, confirmed that the *Final Test Run of ATC Exchangeability* is scheduled for the month of June 2026. The exercise marks a key phase ahead of the *Official Exchangeability Window, set to run from July 2026 to February 2027*.

### Key Highlights from the Presidential Briefing
1. *Final Test Run – June 2026*
The test run is designed to validate systems, procedures, and user readiness before full activation. Citizens, partners, and designated participants are urged to follow all official advisories released by UKA authorities during this period.

2. *Official Exchangeability Period*
Following the successful completion of the June test run, the Official Exchangeability will commence in july 2026 and we are Expecting Full Exchange ability between July Ending, 2026 to February 2026.

UKA stated that detailed schedules, eligibility requirements, and step-by-step instructions will be communicated progressively through verified UKA channels.

3. *Benefiting Packages for June*
In line with UKA’s commitment to citizen empowerment, the month of June will feature “benefiting packages” aimed at education, preparation, and seamless onboarding. These packages are intended to equip the people of UKA with the knowledge and tools needed for effective participation.

4. *Commitment to Transparency*
Addressing the nation, the Empress of Attica Empire UKA emphasized:
_“Final Test Run of ATC Comes up in The Month of June, As We Prepare For The Official Exchangeability, Between July 2026 To Feb 2027. All Information Will Be Communicated.”_
UKA reaffirmed that only information released through official UKA platforms should be regarded as authoritative.

The United Kingdom of Atlantis is encouraging all citizens, representatives, and interested parties to remain alert to official communications, attend designated orientation sessions, and avoid unofficial sources. UKA’s dedication to order, clarity, and the collective benefit of its people as the nation moves into this significant phase.

For updates, advisories, and participation guidelines, citizens are advised to monitor official UKA communication channels.

United Kingdom of Atlantis, UKA, is a sovereign nation, committed to national development, citizen welfare, and structured economic participation through initiatives such as ATC Exchangeability.

society

Three Years On, General Buratai Hails Tinubu’s Economic, Security Achievements

Published

6 days ago

May 30, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Three Years On, General Buratai Hails Tinubu’s Economic, Security Achievements

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as bold economic reforms and improved security efforts as the President marks three years in office.

In a goodwill message on Thursday to commemorate Tinubu’s third anniversary as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Buratai said the administration had taken courageous decisions that would leave a lasting impact on Nigeria’s development.

According to him, President Tinubu broke a long-standing cycle that had hindered national growth by removing fuel subsidy and implementing foreign exchange reforms aimed at stabilising the naira and strengthening the economy.

He noted that the reforms were beginning to yield positive results, citing the global acceptance of Nigerian debit cards, the gradual revival of local refineries, access to student loans, and ongoing road and infrastructure projects across the country.

“The FCT Administration has also recorded remarkable progress, completing major road projects that remained unfinished for over 16 years,” Buratai stated.

The former army chief also praised the administration’s security efforts, saying renewed military offensives against insurgents, terrorists and bandits had led to notable successes across various parts of the country.

He specifically lauded recent joint operations involving Nigerian and United States forces against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East, as well as intensified counter-banditry operations in the North-West.

“We have seen notorious ISWAP commanders being neutralised. I congratulate the Commander-in-Chief, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and heads of intelligence agencies for their efforts,” he said.

Buratai, however, acknowledged that challenges remained, stressing the need for more aggressive military operations and intelligence-driven strategies in the coming year.

While urging Nigerians to remain hopeful, he said celebrating the President’s achievements did not amount to ignoring the difficulties facing the nation.

“Because you truly care, you have shown the courage to trade short-term comfort for long-term hope. Nigerians need your reassurances, and that is why we remain optimistic and full of confidence,” he added.

The retired military officer reaffirmed his support for the Tinubu administration and expressed confidence that the foundation being laid by the government would deliver a brighter future for the country.

He also prayed for God’s guidance, wisdom, strength and good health for the President as he continues to lead Nigeria.