Nigeria: Another University In the Making

[Toyin Falola]

A Bill for an Act to establish University of History, Archeology and Education, Esie passed second reading at the Senate on Wednesday.Sponsor of the Bill, Senator Ashiru Oyelola Yisa (Kwara South), while leading the debate on the Bill said ‘it is a matter of common knowledge that History and Archaeology go to the root of human existence”.“We can only appreciate our present and properly direct our future if we are well equipped with the knowledge of the past.Senator Yisa said “the proposed university is a specialized institution, which would be specially dedicated to research and training in history and archaeology, and all other related disciplines”.According to him, Esie in Kwara South senatorial district is very rich in unique historical monuments.“The first National Museum in Nigeria was established in 1945 at Esie to house the world’s largest collection of relics in soft stone sculptures at Esie. More discoveries are still being made on that site which provides a justification for the host of this proposed university”.To further justify the establishment of the university, Yisa talked of the “undisputable importance of knowledge in the fields of history, archaeology and related disciplines, which, he said have fallen short over the years in Nigeria.“The proposed University will dedicate sustained attention to these matters among others concerns. The central objective is to use such findings to mobilize Nigerians towards greater commitment to nation building.
“The establishment of this specialized university will further enhance the economic influx of visitors worldwide as in the Pyramids in Egypt, the temples in Greece, Machu Picchu in Peru, and the Great Wall in China, among many others.In addition, the proposed University will also be used for conferences, research and cultural exchange centre for the whole world.He said nations of the world have such specialized institutions devoted to History and Archaeology such as UCD School of Archaeology in Ireland, and British School of Archaeology in Jerusalem (BSAJ).The major objectives of the Bill is to “encourage the advancement of learning and the opportunity of acquiring a higher and liberal education in the field of history and archaeology; provide courses of instruction and training to various levels of personnel required for the field of history and archaeology.
Others are to develop and offer academic and professional programmes, post graduate research leading to the award of diplomas, first degrees, and higher degrees in history, archaeology, and related fields.“To establish appropriate relationships with other national and _ international institutions involved in training, research and development of historical and archaeological studies.He said the establishment of the University of History and Archaeology at the present site of the Museum at Esie in Kwara State will further preserve these soft stones in human form and enable the students to have in depth knowledge of these historical relics irrespective of race, religion, state or nationality.In line with order 77 (3) of the Senate standing rules, Senator Yisa the financial compendium of the establishment of the University was attached, which amounted to N3, 762,452,628


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[Oluwatoyin Adepoju]

Wow.

Powerful vision

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[Michael Afolayan]

Really?

Somebody must be joking here!

But why not reinforce the existing institutions like Unilag or UI's History Programs, ABU's Archaeology program, and Education Programs at Uniben, UNN, OAU, and scores of public higher institutions in the country? Why create a new "specialized" University when existing ones are terribly underfunded, improvised, devalued and disrespected by the hour? It's like proposing an Autobahn (the German super-highway) that links Lagos to Maiduguri when the local road from Lagos to Abeokuta is a deathtrap. I am terribly confused! I am not used to embracing white elephant projects. This smells like one. It underscores the common knowledge that our politicians do not have the much-needed skills for handling higher education and societal needs.  I hope the bill does not see the light of the day. Let it be a DOA (Dead on Arrival) or as they say in Nigeria hospitals, make it a BID (Brought In Dead)! My mother would have called it the proverbial lazy fellow who is often drawn to the load he cannot carry. I wonder what Baba Ijebu, Professor Assensoh's mentor, would have called it!

So sad. 

Highly lamenting!

MOA

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[Bayo Omolola]

Sir, lamentation can not do anything in the country. If it can, why would the country have many wrong hands running its affairs at local, state, and national levels now despite the strong concern that many people have expressed in the past thirty years or more. 

. The DNA of the country is filled with a mess. Lamenting can not purify its system. It will take the Almighty God to come down from heaven to flush out the dirty blood in the body of the country and inject new, clean, functioning blood before a positive change run across its length and breadth.  

How would that happen? When will it happen? Will it ever happen? I leave the questions for anyone that can answer them. 

Pessimistic? No, l just feel the situation of the country has not been good for a long time and that Nigerian leaders and their gullible followers do always use the orhestration of successful government as a tool to put a thick wool on the eyes of the public and a plaster on the mouths of many who know the truth and may want to call a spade a spade. 

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[Mr. E. B. Jaiyeoba]

Dear All,

It is one of the unfortunate developments in Nigeria that establishment of universities is now seen as "constituency projects" by our politicians especially members of the national assembly. Sometimes one wonders whether there can ever be knowledgeable 'political cults' as it exists in the developed world. What we have  are self-serving politicians that are only interested in projects that will enhance growing up the ladder of the political 'profession' in Nigeria. 

A few days ago they actually had a vote in the House of Representatives where the 'Ayes' won against the 'Nos' for continuing discussions on establishment of new universities in the midst of the present strike. Honestly, one is just petrified !!!

Babatunde JAIYEOBA

E. Babatunde JAIYEOBA PhD

Professor of Architecture

Department of Architecture

Faculty of Environmental Design and Management

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

ebj...@oauife.edu.ng; tundej...@yahoo.co.uk; +234 8037880023

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