By Usman Nuhu Kuta
“Historian reproduces knowledge of the past, and inspire Productivity”
–Usman Nuhu
“With knowledge of the past, I’m equipped to conquer the challenges of the present and the future”
–Usman Nuhu
It is no more news that History as a discipline has been neglected by our authorities and individuals as a result of little or no insights about its significance. The government (Nigerian government to be specific) does not only lack awareness about the contributions of history to youth empowerment and nation-building but also, sees it as a threat because History as a discipline always breeds radicalism. While the government considers the study of history as a threat, for some individuals, it is claimed that “History is an unprofessional discipline”. Thus, they deliberately try to discredit History as an academic discipline by rating Social Studies ahead.
Unfortunately, they are less informed to know that, Social Studies is not just a sub-discipline under History, but also, to study society is to study history. These individuals and the government are doomed of the past, the present, thus cannot predict the future. Obviously, history is a continuous interaction and an unending dialogue between the contemporary historian and the facts of the past. Students of history seek to provide answers to questions and reasons for circumstances: what, how, and why did a particular event occur? His thinking and intellectual capacity, as developed by History as a discipline, is familiar with historical developments in all spheres of human life.
History of Royal Gunshots in Kano Emirate
Similarly, the study of history involves the explanation of important features of life which include: economy, politics, law, norms, and values, as well as cultures that shape and define our society. History provides individuals with sound knowledge of peoples’ prevailing ideas, motives, and circumstances. You can agree with me that, although no discipline is an Island, the study of history is indeed the “cradle of knowledge”.
Historian, as specialist and educated about the events of the past, finds it easier to predict the future. For these reasons, the door is open to students of History to manipulate the knowledge of the past to their own advantage.
Today, no one can deny the fact that the world has developed in terms of Science and Technology (including improvements in modes of documentation) which can be said to befit the profession of a Historian.
However, Historians have the collective knowledge of how nations in the past approached the problems of the economy, politics, technological inventions, and also the difficulties of nation-building.
This ocean-like knowledge of the past is flowing heavily and continuously, for the Historians to fetch, explore, and imbibe. They embrace the modern economy and diversify its concepts with an ocean of knowledge as ancient Egyptians did to River Nile.
In summary, I urge the students of History to explore the knowledge of the past and relate it to the new approach that suits the present world. In other words, I encourage the students of History to learn new things (skills) in addition to their knowledge of the past so that we can be able to conquer nature. These skills may include:
Presentation Skills
Negotiation Skills
Leadership Skills
Managerial Skills
Communications Skills
Software Skills (i.e. Programming, Coding, UI/UX, Data Analysis, etc.)
Blue-Collar Skills (i.e. Plumbing, Electrician, Carpentry, Painting, Welding, Auto Mechanics etc).
WORDS FOR THE WISE:
They say head wey no go read, the head go carry the load.
I go do am later, na em make fowl no dey fly like other birds
Try to create business/job opportunities for yourselves.
The time is now not later. Create the opportunity now not later.
Usman Nuhu
A Writer, Political Analyst, Presenter, and Politician, writes from Katsina State.
09038377399
Nuhuusman3453@gmail.com.
