Indeed, what happened in Nigeria in the last two weeks is depressing and unfortunate. This message is for lecturers and students.
While it is natural for humans to respond to this kind of crisis based on how they are affected by it, it nevertheless behoves on real leaders to digest the hot dish with circumspection with a view to de-escalating the current heat scourging the country.
As scholars and historians, we are expected to approach this challenge with studied decorum bearing in mind that we are nurturing young peoples of diverse religion, ethnicities, political leanings, and worldviews. While it cannot be denied that a serious damage has been done to our national psyche, it is too dangerous to be sucked-in the social media blame-games and provocations irrespective of our personal observations and perceptions in the heat of this crisis.
To do so will amount to being subjective and stoking more flames – which is below our calling as scholars.
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Instead of joining the public debate and fault-finding at this stage of the crisis which involves mostly the people we’re mentoring, let’s deploy our intellect to call the country to order, sue for calm on both government and our youths without becoming part of the problem ourselves. Trying to force our religious, ethnic and political sentiments on colleagues and the hapless society is despicable.
Our intervention at this point of our history should be targeted at de-escalation and instilling a reign of reason, that’s why we’re called philosopher kings. On this note, I invite every scholar and leader in any capacity to use his or her position to announce a secession of these hostilities to enable historians take stock and document objectively.
To my students and other Nigerian youths, I want to congratulate you for your historic bravery. To me, the government is not only rattled, you have won the war, and the whole world is on your side. By your efforts the government will no longer be able to play the ostrich and they are evidently beginning to capitulate to your demands.
The whole world is proud of you, but they expect you to observe a ceasefire now, so as to protect the gains of your noble efforts. As you can observe the evil ones are battling to deploy the same faultlines of religion, politics and ethnicity – the same tools that were used in subjugating your parents, to smear a legitimate protest you initiated.
But with the groundswell of supports and commentaries from all over the world, there’s hope for optimism. The holy book says there’s time for everything; it’s time for peaceful engagement. Be satisfied that by this protest, you have achieved what your forebears could not; you have spoken to History.
Dr Philip Afaha
Head, Department of History and Diplomatic Studies
University of Abuja
