Daud Olatunji
The Olowu of Owu-Abeokuta kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola, has made a strong case for the reintroduction of history into the Nigerian school curriculum.
The monarch stated this on Wednesday at his Oke-Agowu Palace during a press conference heralding activities marking the second anniversary Coronation and 60th birthday.
Oba Matemilola emphasised the importance of teaching accurate historical narratives from a local perspective, particularly for the Yoruba people.
According to Oba Matemilola, much of the history taught in Nigerian schools has been shaped by colonial narratives, often misrepresenting significant events and figures.
He cited the example of Mungo Park being credited with the “discovery” of the River Niger, a narrative that he said overlooks the indigenous knowledge and experiences of the region’s inhabitants.
The Olowu argued that history, often written with biases, should be authored by those who lived it to ensure an accurate representation of cultural heritage and identity.
“The return of history to schools as part of our curriculum is crucial. The history we were taught in the past, often written by colonialists, included narratives like Mungo Park discovering the River Niger. We need to include our own history.
“ The fact is, history is often written with a bias, whether inadvertent or deliberate. So, when we write our own history, we can tell our story as it truly is, and that’s the most important thing for us.
“ History is part of our legacy, and if we don’t teach our children true history, our self-esteem, our very essence, and our tribe will be lost. It is essential to teach not just history, but the right history from our perspective, written by us, the subjects of that history. We need to do a lot as Yoruba people as well. It’s up to us to write our own history and ensure it’s included in the curriculum taught in our schools. For me, history must be taught. It’s a crucial part of who we are, to make our people proud and help instill self-dignity through our historical narratives
… Scholarship Initiatives, Educational Support
The Olowu also highlighted the efforts of the Olowu Scholars Foundation in promoting education among the youth.
The monarch said the foundation has facilitated scholarships for 17 students currently studying in various tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
He added that this initiative has supported students gaining admission to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Federal University of Oye Ekiti, and Owu Polytechnic, Wasinmi, Ogun State.
The Olowu also disclosed that, the foundation has funded registration fees for both the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for 60 scholars from four schools in Abeokuta.
He said this support has yielded impressive results, with 19 students scoring 200 and above in the UTME, seven scoring above 250, and five scoring above 300 marks.
Oba Matemilola expressed satisfaction in the foundation’s achievements and mentioned ongoing collaborations with Solace Foundation and Sixth Sense Foundation to enhance literacy skills among school children.
According to him, efforts include the establishment of an e-library at the Owu Community Library and the organisation of school excursions to broaden students’ knowledge beyond classroom teachings.
… Advocacy For Home Grown School Feeding Programme
The Olowu expressed concern over the suspension of the Home Grown School Feeding initiative, noting that a significant number of students, particularly in primary schools, have dropped out due to the lack of meals.
He recounted an experience where children in his neighbourhood could not attend school because they had no food to eat.
“He said “I found out that at least a quarter of those who no longer attend school, especially in primary school, is due to a lack of meals. That’s how bad things have become. I do not know exactly why the government stopped the programme here in Ogun State, as I understand it’s still being implemented elsewhere.
“ However, I will bring this issue up with the government in a meeting at some point to see how we can reinstate the programme.
“In our case, with what we have control over, we will take action. When we need to speak to the government, we will engage with them and see how best we can influence them to do what is necessary.
“I interviewed some children about a month ago on a Friday, and some of them said they were not attending school. When I asked why, they said their mothers asked them to stay at home because there was no meal to eat. So, I invited their mothers to come the following Sunday.
“I was very shocked. You can imagine, at 1 PM on a Sunday afternoon, I saw their condition and asked if they had eaten, they said they hadn’t, the same children and about 6 or 7 of them with their mother.
“It’s important to find a way to act, no matter how small. We don’t have all the resources, but everything we do is supported by the generosity of those who understand the benefits of our efforts.
“We’ve reached out to a few people who have expressed their willingness to support us, so we can start immediately. Hopefully, this will encourage more children to attend school, and we’ll see how we can expand the initiative based on the resources we’ve gathered.”
… Traditional Rulers, Politics
Addressing the role of traditional rulers in politics, Oba Matemilola advised traditional leaders to maintain a non-partisan stance and avoid making reckless statements.
He emphasised that staying away from political disputes could help traditional rulers earn respect from politicians and the government, thereby reducing conflicts.
… Upcoming Celebrations
The lineup of activities to mark the second anniversary of his coronation and his 60th birthday was announced.
Events include the conferment of chieftaincy titles, a symposium at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), and a grand celebration at Oba Odeleye Park, Ori-Omi.
As part of the celebrations, the Olowu revealed that talented players discovered during the recent “Olowu Football Competition,” held in partnership with former Super Eagles Coach Bonfrere Jo, would receive scholarships to further their education, combining sports with academic pursuits.
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