By Yemi Adeleye
Lagos – The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution to revive teaching and learning of history as a subject in schools for nation building.
The House called on Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode to direct relevant ministries and agencies of the state to revive and enhance teaching of history.
The Assembly also called on the state ministry of education to brief the House committee on education on strategies to be used to achieve the goal.
The Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Olumuyiwa Jimoh, who moved the motion, said that there had been a decline in the teaching of history in schools.
“Our history and collective patrimonies should be taught in schools to address some of the fundamental issues on nation building and give us direction.
“Without history, we are a lost race; it is through history we know our origin and tradition.
“We need to resuscitate it and make its teaching compulsory. Without our history, there is no way we can develop,” he said.
Other lawmakers also decried the decline in history teaching in schools, saying that Nigeria had suffered much from the decline.
According to them, history is important for the socio-economic, cultural and political development of the nation.
The lawmaker decried the decision of the National Council of Education in 2007 that teaching of history was not necessary in schools.
The Chairman, House Committee on Education, Mr Lanre Ogunyemi, said it was sad that history was no longer taught in many schools.
Ogunyemi said that subjects such as social studies, civic education and government could not replace history.
“The importance of history to mankind can’t be overemphasised because it helps us to remember the past and shape our future.
“ No one can kill history no matter how he tries. The earlier we bring back teaching of history in our schools, the better for us,” he said.
Mr Rotimi Olowo, the Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, said that study of history would enhance national integration and economic prosperity.
“Studying the evolution of Nigeria will make us to appreciate ethnic diversities, national resources and end many agitations.
“The economy of Nigeria is in comatose because we fail to appreciate history.
“ Teaching of history is imperative and is capable of moving the nation to the next level,” Olowo said.
Mr Jude Idimogu (APC-Oshodi/Isolo II) said that agitations might have been avoided if history were well taught in schools.
Mr Oladele Adekanye, the Chairman, House Committee on Commerce and Industry, who decried that many graduates of history were jobless, said that history teaching was essential.
In his submission, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa described history as a teacher.
Obasa said: “History is like a teacher teaching us where we were, where we are, and the way to go.
“It is to our own advantage politically, economically, culturally and others.
“It is important to return history to our school curriculum.”
