Learn From Past Mistakes, Olukoju Urges Nigerians

Nigerians have been urged to avoid National Amnesia and learn from past mistakes.

A notable Professor of Maritime History, University of Lagos, Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju, gave this charge while speaking on a topic titled; “We’ve been there before; the challenge of National Amnesia.” on Monday.

The lecture which was organized by the College of Humanities and culture, Osun State University, UNIOSUN, Ikire campus, was in commemoration of the college 2017/2018 annual lecture.

In his speech, Olukoju lamented that the country had failed to learn from past mistakes and had continue to pay dearly for these mistakes through its repetition.

Olukoju who is also a member of the Academy of Letters, identified the various types of National Amnesia and how it has come to play in various sectors of the country.

According to him, “This nation forgets very fast, its simply overcome a problem and move on. It has failed to learn from past mistakes and a society dies when its forget its past. History does not repeat itself, it’s the people’s negligence that repeat history.”

Olukoju thereby urged Nigerians to learn from past mistakes in order to avert avoidable repetition.

“This problem can only be solved by learning from past mistakes, Nigeria has made some mistakes but it is sad we are still repeating these mistakes and paying dearly for them.

“This is a task for every Nigerian, the media also has a role to play, let’s know and remember our history and also apply it where necessary to avoid making the same mistakes.”

Earlier in his speech, the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Labode Popoola who was represented by the Provost of the college of Science, Engineering and Technology, Mr Samson Akinola, reiterated the institution’s commitment to the pursuit of academic innovation, skill-based training and a tradition of excellence in teaching, research and community service.

“To achieve its mission, Osun State University is firmly committed to offering students of widely varied ages, backgrounds, interests and needs, a broad range of educational opportunities and experiences which will enable them function as productive members of the society. We recognize that students are the most essential part of our future and that of the Nigerian society.” Akinola added.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion who is the Minister of Communication, Dr. Abdur-Raheem Shittu who was represented by his Special Adviser on Food and Development, Alhaji I. G Oyinlola, commended the school management on the successful lecture.