Williams E . Orukpe | University of Benin (original) (raw)
Papers by Williams E . Orukpe
Studies of Tribes and Tribals, Sep 3, 2022
The essential criteria that differentiate tribal society from other societies are the distinctive... more The essential criteria that differentiate tribal society from other societies are the distinctiveness of the tribal culture itself. It gives them the status of being a tribe. The uniqueness of tribal culture results from living isolated within hills and forest areas. One of the crucial characteristics adopted for identifying a group as a tribe is their close association with nature. It is due to their culture, which contributes more to managing their habitat and helps in developing a harmonious relationship with nature through their belief system. It is well known that living close to nature makes life more sustainable. This way of life gives rise to such knowledge types called folk knowledge. It includes a knowledge system related to forest produce collection, hunting, animal husbandry, agriculture, craft, and medicinal use of flora and fauna. This paper highlights how tribes use their folk knowledge in managing and sustainably conserving natural resources.
This paper examines Nigeria's foreign policy abnormality in her relations with West African state... more This paper examines Nigeria's foreign policy abnormality in her relations with West African states and Japan. It problematised Nigeria as an economic power with withered hegemonial prospect in West Africa. Since 1960, the adoption of Africa as the centerpiece of Nigeria's foreign policy had prevented her from harvesting the low hanging fruits in West Africa. She had confused the pursuit of the immediate national interests in her inter-West African neighbours as her own. This extreme Afrocentric foreign policy posture depicts Nigeria as an enigmatic international person. At independence, Nigeria was endowed with abundant human and natural resources needed to position her as a hegemon of some sorts in West Africa. But lost in the euphoric illusion of Nigeria's manifest destiny, the formulators of the nation's foreign policy of three concentric circles misconceived the interest of West Africa and Africa as Nigeria's primary interests. The fallout of this development was that Nigeria became the 'Big brother' of African states and failed to look for her immediate national interest in the continent. Hence, adopting the comparative research methodology, this paper interrogated Nigeria's relation with ECOWAS and TICAD as a paradox. The study finds that since 1975 and 1993, the anchorage of and conduct of Nigeria's foreign policy had been inconsistent with the universally accepted principle of international relations that there is no permanent friend or foe, but permanent national interest. It concludes that Nigeria's immediate political and economic survival need to be the determinants of her interventionism, alliance building or neutrality in West African diplomacy.
Armageddon is the Biblical war of the Great Day of God to end all unrighteousness. It is doomsday... more Armageddon is the Biblical war of the Great Day of God to end all unrighteousness. It is doomsday for peoples and nations in opposition to Jehovah. This paper examines COVID-19 as one of the composite signs that Armageddon is near. It finds that the outbreak of Coronavirus heightened fear and hope globally. For some, the pandemic was a dreaded sign that the end of the world is near; and in others it increased optimism that deliverance is near. Using the historical research methodology, this paper makes sense of this fear and hope drawing lessons from Biblical antecedents. It will demonstrate the COVID-19-induced life changing spiritual lessons Nigerians must learn before Armageddon strikes. Nigeria is a secular State with a highly religious population. But most Nigerians are ironically irreligious in deeds. The high incidences of corruption and human factor decay in Nigeria belie the people's acclaimed piety. Nigerians worship God fervently; but their fear of death and Armageddon reveasl the spiritual pandemic plaguing Nigeria. Therefore, while virologists and epidemiologists battle to protect the physical health of humanity from COVID-19; the Humanities must engage its spiritual health imperatives. Hence, the paper concludes that post-COVID-19 new normal must go beyond wearing facemasks, regular hand-washing and sanitising. It must include personality change and spiritual restitution. These are critical for turning the fear of Armageddon to hope of salvation in Nigeria and beyond.
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), Dec 1, 2022
STUDIES OF TRIBES AND TRIBALS
This study re-examines the origin of the Esan tribe and tribal. It was informed by the observed p... more This study re-examines the origin of the Esan tribe and tribal. It was informed by the observed problem of submersion preponderant in Edoid ethnographic studies. The mono-causal Benin hypothesis of Esan origin propagated in leading ethnographies on the Edo speaking peoples is ahistorical. It traced Esan tribal origin to the 15th century. Using the historical research methodology and the case study research design, this study debunked the “Esan fua” and other Benincentric traditions of Esan origin as distortions. The study explored linguistic and archaeological evidence to demonstrate that Esan autochthonous origin predates 1400 C.E. Linguistic study shows that the Esan language was arguably separated from the Kwa language group of the Western Sudanic language before Bini. The archaeological study of Esan moats proved that they were constructed by Esan people long before the 15th century. It concludes that tribal protectionism is critical to preserving mini tribes in Nigeria, and cur...
This study reexamines the origin of the Esan tribe and tribal. It was informed by the observed pr... more This study reexamines the origin of the Esan tribe and tribal. It was informed by the observed problem of submersion preponderant in Edoid ethnographic studies. The mono-causal Benin hypothesis of Esan origin propagated in leading ethnographies on the Edo speaking peoples is ahistorical. It traced Esan tribal origin to the 15 th century. Using the historical research methodology and the case study research design, this study debunked the "Esan fua" and other Benincentric traditions of Esan origin as distortions. The study explored linguistic and archaeological evidence to demonstrate that Esan autochthonous origin predates 1400 C.E. Linguistic study shows that the Esan language was arguably separated from the Kwa language group of the Western Sudanic language before Bini. The archaeological study of Esan moats proved that they were constructed by Esan people long before the 15 th century. It concludes that tribal protectionism is critical to preserving mini tribes in Nigeria, and curbing ethnographical distortions.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS
This paper examines Esanland in the context of modern development planning in Nigeria. It interro... more This paper examines Esanland in the context of modern development planning in Nigeria. It interrogates the problem of planning without development in Esanland and Nigeria. The paper adopts the qualitative research method to explain the phenomenon of rural underdevelopment obstructing Nigeria’s economic development. It finds that, since Nigeria attained independence in 1960, there has been no scarcity of development planning in the country. But there is a stark paradoxical absence of commensurate economic development. This critical review of planning in Nigeria identified economic dysfunctionalism, resources diffusionism and ethnic politics as the bane of plan implementation and rural development. Therefore, using the economy of Esanland as a case study, this paper engages with how these factors interface to undermine and disconnect rural economies. It concludes that rural economic development-oriented planning and dispassionate implementation of plans are developmental imperatives f...
Online Article (Esanland.org), 2019
Journal Article, 2018
This paper examines the intricate relationship between democracy, good governance and national se... more This paper examines the intricate relationship between democracy, good governance and national security. It espouses the idea that the entrenchment and consolidation of democratic principles in Nigeria is critical for the smooth functioning of the social contract between the Nigerian state and her citizenry. In other words, it guarantees the transition of modern societies from the Hobbesian state of nature to civil societies; and pre-empts anarchy and chaos. Thus, it holds the key to subverting the politics of insecurity in Nigeria. However, in post-colonial Nigeria, the transition to democracy on May 29, 1999 has only produced paradoxical consequences. The corruption of, misapplication, and abuse of the ideal of democracy in Nigeria this paper argues is the bane behind the current undemocratic democracy and dysfunctional governance that are responsible for the destabilization of the political economy of the nation; and the attendant security challenges ravaging the country. Therefore, to explain this phenomenon, this paper examines Nigeria's political development in historical perspective; and contends that the socio-political diversity of the Nigerian peoples; and Nigerianization of democratic tenets in Nigeria in harmony with her debased political culture are the cardinal causations of her unstable politics and democracy, and pervasive insecurity. Hence, it maintains that, the panacea is in, troubleshooting Nigeria's democracy, instead of shooting the people through military solution.
Journal Article, 2018
This paper examines the social impact of Christianity and Western culture on the traditional Esan... more This paper examines the social impact of Christianity and Western culture on the traditional Esan conception and practice of marriage and family life. In precolonial Esan, marriage was held as sacred and the foundation of the society. Hence, marriage, though polygamous was regulated; and the family remained close-knit. Infidelity, adultery, and divorce were critically frowned at under Esan native law and custom. Thus, this study interrogate the dynamism and attitudinal response of Nigerian peoples to Christian perception and Western perspective of marriage and family life, since their contact with the West. Its finding is that since the arrival of Christian missionaries and spread of Western civilization to Nigeria, marriage and family life have never been the same. "What was" is no longer obtainable, since the emergence of Christianity; and "what is" is now becoming obsolete due to the influence of Western civilization. Therefore, adopting the comparative research methodology, the study seeks to historicize the changes, continuity, and adaptation to marriage and family life in Esanland within the context of their twenty-first century challenges. It concludes that Western liberalism has not only eclipsed both Esan native law and Christianity in Nigeria, but it has produced social contradictions evident in the high-level insubordination of wives, domestic violence, marital infidelity, separation and divorce. It is against this backdrop that this study maintains that the adoption of Bible principles as the authoritative framework guiding marriage and family life can help stem the destructive impact of Westernization in Esanland and elsewhere.
This paper examines political cooperation and integration among Nigerian political elites. It is ... more This paper examines political cooperation and integration among Nigerian political elites. It is this development in Nigerian political history that, the paper conceptualizes as political musketeering. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello symbolize “The Three Musketeers” of Nigerian politics in the colonial and immediate post-independence period. In that, the quest for political power by these political dramatis personae on the Nigerian political stage informed political cooperation and integration among them. This development fast tracked the growth of nationalism, decolonization of Nigeria, formation of the NPC-NCNC coalition government in 1959, and the emergence of the AG as the official opposition party to checkmate the indigenous regime. However, the thrust of the paper is that, in post-colonial Nigeria, the Azikiwe, Awolowo and Bello partnership antecedence established the foundation of political cooperation and integration; which has ever since been adopted as a means to an end by Nigerian politicians; but with deadly implications for the emergent African state. In that, it had given rise to an uncanny and systemic conspiracy and collaboration among the political elites across the six (6) geo-political zones and thirty six (36) states of the Nigerian federation to exploit the resources of the nation to the exclusion and detriment of the populace. Hence, it is argued here that, in 1960, it was the Nigerian elites that actually gained independence, not the Nigerian people. Thus, the paper maintained that, there is a sharp and pertinent need for political deregulation and restructuring in post-colonial Nigeria to salvage the tide of elitism and promote popular participation, inclusive governance, and true democracy in the nation; as only these can grant and ensure the independence of the Nigerian peoples from their new imperial powers, the political elites.
Keywords: Azikiwe, Awolowo, Bello, Political, Cooperation, and Integration
This paper attempts a historiographical survey of the roles of History and the Historian in natio... more This paper attempts a historiographical survey of the roles of History and the Historian in nation building in post-colonial Nigeria. The study contends that the major thrust of History and the Historian in post-colonial Nigeria is to champion the new phase of History in the country. This new phase of History is not to vindicate the existence of civilization in pre-colonial Nigeria as was hitherto the case; but to depict the subject as a crucial panacea to the developmental challenges of post-colonial Nigeria. It maintained that, since the political surgery of 1914, where the hitherto autonomous communities of Nigeria were forcefully merged as one political entity called Nigeria that nation building had emerged as the most pressing need of the country. In that, since independence, the unhealthy rivalry among the diverse ethnic groups within the Nigerian federation evident in their fierce struggle for political and economic dominance had weakened the foundation of the Nigerian state, slowed down the wheel of development in the country, and is threatening her national unity and sovereign existence. Hence, the paper examined the efforts to whip up national consciousness in post-colonial Nigeria; and the attendant challenges. It averred that History and the Historian are crucial agents of nation building in the country because, they create a strong connect among the peoples of Nigeria by highlighting their shared experiences that tie them to their root and to one another. This gives them a sense of oneness; and build pride in the peoples of Nigeria that they are an intricate part of a whole. Thus, History and the Historian build the bridge through which the peoples of post-colonial Nigeria can cross over religious chauvinism, and ethnic and regional parochialism; and prevent the country from being a mere geographical expression.
Keywords: History, Historian, Nationalism, Ethnicity, Regionalism, and Nation Building.
This study examined the dilemma of Nigerian economic development in historical perspective. It ma... more This study examined the dilemma of Nigerian economic development in historical perspective. It maintained that, the economic development of a society is vital for the welfare, and satisfaction of the needs of members of the society. However, post-colonial Nigeria appears to be at the economic crossroad and faces a dilemma of economic development. In that, since the decolonization of Nigeria in 1960, economic development efforts have suffered many setbacks. This paper held that although conceptualized development planning began in Nigeria during the colonial era in 1946; but that real economic development efforts in the country were undertaken after independence, since the colonial economic policies introduced by Britain were primarily for the satisfaction of British economic interest. In colonial Nigeria, British need for raw materials led to the introduction of new farm products, and a shift from the production of food crops to cash crops. Taxation was also introduced to encourage farmers to grow cash crops; and economic institutions and infrastructures provided to support the colonial economy of Nigeria. These economic developments aided the monetization and commercialization of the Nigerian economy during the period. However, the contact with the Western civilization exposed Nigeria to new models and perspectives of economic development; which this paper argued created the dilemma of what economic development path to take to achieve sustainable economic development. Hence, it concluded that, economic development efforts should be domesticated, and politically regulated, and not determined by government as the people remain the means and ends of development in any society.
Studies of Tribes and Tribals, Sep 3, 2022
The essential criteria that differentiate tribal society from other societies are the distinctive... more The essential criteria that differentiate tribal society from other societies are the distinctiveness of the tribal culture itself. It gives them the status of being a tribe. The uniqueness of tribal culture results from living isolated within hills and forest areas. One of the crucial characteristics adopted for identifying a group as a tribe is their close association with nature. It is due to their culture, which contributes more to managing their habitat and helps in developing a harmonious relationship with nature through their belief system. It is well known that living close to nature makes life more sustainable. This way of life gives rise to such knowledge types called folk knowledge. It includes a knowledge system related to forest produce collection, hunting, animal husbandry, agriculture, craft, and medicinal use of flora and fauna. This paper highlights how tribes use their folk knowledge in managing and sustainably conserving natural resources.
This paper examines Nigeria's foreign policy abnormality in her relations with West African state... more This paper examines Nigeria's foreign policy abnormality in her relations with West African states and Japan. It problematised Nigeria as an economic power with withered hegemonial prospect in West Africa. Since 1960, the adoption of Africa as the centerpiece of Nigeria's foreign policy had prevented her from harvesting the low hanging fruits in West Africa. She had confused the pursuit of the immediate national interests in her inter-West African neighbours as her own. This extreme Afrocentric foreign policy posture depicts Nigeria as an enigmatic international person. At independence, Nigeria was endowed with abundant human and natural resources needed to position her as a hegemon of some sorts in West Africa. But lost in the euphoric illusion of Nigeria's manifest destiny, the formulators of the nation's foreign policy of three concentric circles misconceived the interest of West Africa and Africa as Nigeria's primary interests. The fallout of this development was that Nigeria became the 'Big brother' of African states and failed to look for her immediate national interest in the continent. Hence, adopting the comparative research methodology, this paper interrogated Nigeria's relation with ECOWAS and TICAD as a paradox. The study finds that since 1975 and 1993, the anchorage of and conduct of Nigeria's foreign policy had been inconsistent with the universally accepted principle of international relations that there is no permanent friend or foe, but permanent national interest. It concludes that Nigeria's immediate political and economic survival need to be the determinants of her interventionism, alliance building or neutrality in West African diplomacy.
Armageddon is the Biblical war of the Great Day of God to end all unrighteousness. It is doomsday... more Armageddon is the Biblical war of the Great Day of God to end all unrighteousness. It is doomsday for peoples and nations in opposition to Jehovah. This paper examines COVID-19 as one of the composite signs that Armageddon is near. It finds that the outbreak of Coronavirus heightened fear and hope globally. For some, the pandemic was a dreaded sign that the end of the world is near; and in others it increased optimism that deliverance is near. Using the historical research methodology, this paper makes sense of this fear and hope drawing lessons from Biblical antecedents. It will demonstrate the COVID-19-induced life changing spiritual lessons Nigerians must learn before Armageddon strikes. Nigeria is a secular State with a highly religious population. But most Nigerians are ironically irreligious in deeds. The high incidences of corruption and human factor decay in Nigeria belie the people's acclaimed piety. Nigerians worship God fervently; but their fear of death and Armageddon reveasl the spiritual pandemic plaguing Nigeria. Therefore, while virologists and epidemiologists battle to protect the physical health of humanity from COVID-19; the Humanities must engage its spiritual health imperatives. Hence, the paper concludes that post-COVID-19 new normal must go beyond wearing facemasks, regular hand-washing and sanitising. It must include personality change and spiritual restitution. These are critical for turning the fear of Armageddon to hope of salvation in Nigeria and beyond.
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), Dec 1, 2022
STUDIES OF TRIBES AND TRIBALS
This study re-examines the origin of the Esan tribe and tribal. It was informed by the observed p... more This study re-examines the origin of the Esan tribe and tribal. It was informed by the observed problem of submersion preponderant in Edoid ethnographic studies. The mono-causal Benin hypothesis of Esan origin propagated in leading ethnographies on the Edo speaking peoples is ahistorical. It traced Esan tribal origin to the 15th century. Using the historical research methodology and the case study research design, this study debunked the “Esan fua” and other Benincentric traditions of Esan origin as distortions. The study explored linguistic and archaeological evidence to demonstrate that Esan autochthonous origin predates 1400 C.E. Linguistic study shows that the Esan language was arguably separated from the Kwa language group of the Western Sudanic language before Bini. The archaeological study of Esan moats proved that they were constructed by Esan people long before the 15th century. It concludes that tribal protectionism is critical to preserving mini tribes in Nigeria, and cur...
This study reexamines the origin of the Esan tribe and tribal. It was informed by the observed pr... more This study reexamines the origin of the Esan tribe and tribal. It was informed by the observed problem of submersion preponderant in Edoid ethnographic studies. The mono-causal Benin hypothesis of Esan origin propagated in leading ethnographies on the Edo speaking peoples is ahistorical. It traced Esan tribal origin to the 15 th century. Using the historical research methodology and the case study research design, this study debunked the "Esan fua" and other Benincentric traditions of Esan origin as distortions. The study explored linguistic and archaeological evidence to demonstrate that Esan autochthonous origin predates 1400 C.E. Linguistic study shows that the Esan language was arguably separated from the Kwa language group of the Western Sudanic language before Bini. The archaeological study of Esan moats proved that they were constructed by Esan people long before the 15 th century. It concludes that tribal protectionism is critical to preserving mini tribes in Nigeria, and curbing ethnographical distortions.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS
This paper examines Esanland in the context of modern development planning in Nigeria. It interro... more This paper examines Esanland in the context of modern development planning in Nigeria. It interrogates the problem of planning without development in Esanland and Nigeria. The paper adopts the qualitative research method to explain the phenomenon of rural underdevelopment obstructing Nigeria’s economic development. It finds that, since Nigeria attained independence in 1960, there has been no scarcity of development planning in the country. But there is a stark paradoxical absence of commensurate economic development. This critical review of planning in Nigeria identified economic dysfunctionalism, resources diffusionism and ethnic politics as the bane of plan implementation and rural development. Therefore, using the economy of Esanland as a case study, this paper engages with how these factors interface to undermine and disconnect rural economies. It concludes that rural economic development-oriented planning and dispassionate implementation of plans are developmental imperatives f...
Online Article (Esanland.org), 2019
Journal Article, 2018
This paper examines the intricate relationship between democracy, good governance and national se... more This paper examines the intricate relationship between democracy, good governance and national security. It espouses the idea that the entrenchment and consolidation of democratic principles in Nigeria is critical for the smooth functioning of the social contract between the Nigerian state and her citizenry. In other words, it guarantees the transition of modern societies from the Hobbesian state of nature to civil societies; and pre-empts anarchy and chaos. Thus, it holds the key to subverting the politics of insecurity in Nigeria. However, in post-colonial Nigeria, the transition to democracy on May 29, 1999 has only produced paradoxical consequences. The corruption of, misapplication, and abuse of the ideal of democracy in Nigeria this paper argues is the bane behind the current undemocratic democracy and dysfunctional governance that are responsible for the destabilization of the political economy of the nation; and the attendant security challenges ravaging the country. Therefore, to explain this phenomenon, this paper examines Nigeria's political development in historical perspective; and contends that the socio-political diversity of the Nigerian peoples; and Nigerianization of democratic tenets in Nigeria in harmony with her debased political culture are the cardinal causations of her unstable politics and democracy, and pervasive insecurity. Hence, it maintains that, the panacea is in, troubleshooting Nigeria's democracy, instead of shooting the people through military solution.
Journal Article, 2018
This paper examines the social impact of Christianity and Western culture on the traditional Esan... more This paper examines the social impact of Christianity and Western culture on the traditional Esan conception and practice of marriage and family life. In precolonial Esan, marriage was held as sacred and the foundation of the society. Hence, marriage, though polygamous was regulated; and the family remained close-knit. Infidelity, adultery, and divorce were critically frowned at under Esan native law and custom. Thus, this study interrogate the dynamism and attitudinal response of Nigerian peoples to Christian perception and Western perspective of marriage and family life, since their contact with the West. Its finding is that since the arrival of Christian missionaries and spread of Western civilization to Nigeria, marriage and family life have never been the same. "What was" is no longer obtainable, since the emergence of Christianity; and "what is" is now becoming obsolete due to the influence of Western civilization. Therefore, adopting the comparative research methodology, the study seeks to historicize the changes, continuity, and adaptation to marriage and family life in Esanland within the context of their twenty-first century challenges. It concludes that Western liberalism has not only eclipsed both Esan native law and Christianity in Nigeria, but it has produced social contradictions evident in the high-level insubordination of wives, domestic violence, marital infidelity, separation and divorce. It is against this backdrop that this study maintains that the adoption of Bible principles as the authoritative framework guiding marriage and family life can help stem the destructive impact of Westernization in Esanland and elsewhere.
This paper examines political cooperation and integration among Nigerian political elites. It is ... more This paper examines political cooperation and integration among Nigerian political elites. It is this development in Nigerian political history that, the paper conceptualizes as political musketeering. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello symbolize “The Three Musketeers” of Nigerian politics in the colonial and immediate post-independence period. In that, the quest for political power by these political dramatis personae on the Nigerian political stage informed political cooperation and integration among them. This development fast tracked the growth of nationalism, decolonization of Nigeria, formation of the NPC-NCNC coalition government in 1959, and the emergence of the AG as the official opposition party to checkmate the indigenous regime. However, the thrust of the paper is that, in post-colonial Nigeria, the Azikiwe, Awolowo and Bello partnership antecedence established the foundation of political cooperation and integration; which has ever since been adopted as a means to an end by Nigerian politicians; but with deadly implications for the emergent African state. In that, it had given rise to an uncanny and systemic conspiracy and collaboration among the political elites across the six (6) geo-political zones and thirty six (36) states of the Nigerian federation to exploit the resources of the nation to the exclusion and detriment of the populace. Hence, it is argued here that, in 1960, it was the Nigerian elites that actually gained independence, not the Nigerian people. Thus, the paper maintained that, there is a sharp and pertinent need for political deregulation and restructuring in post-colonial Nigeria to salvage the tide of elitism and promote popular participation, inclusive governance, and true democracy in the nation; as only these can grant and ensure the independence of the Nigerian peoples from their new imperial powers, the political elites.
Keywords: Azikiwe, Awolowo, Bello, Political, Cooperation, and Integration
This paper attempts a historiographical survey of the roles of History and the Historian in natio... more This paper attempts a historiographical survey of the roles of History and the Historian in nation building in post-colonial Nigeria. The study contends that the major thrust of History and the Historian in post-colonial Nigeria is to champion the new phase of History in the country. This new phase of History is not to vindicate the existence of civilization in pre-colonial Nigeria as was hitherto the case; but to depict the subject as a crucial panacea to the developmental challenges of post-colonial Nigeria. It maintained that, since the political surgery of 1914, where the hitherto autonomous communities of Nigeria were forcefully merged as one political entity called Nigeria that nation building had emerged as the most pressing need of the country. In that, since independence, the unhealthy rivalry among the diverse ethnic groups within the Nigerian federation evident in their fierce struggle for political and economic dominance had weakened the foundation of the Nigerian state, slowed down the wheel of development in the country, and is threatening her national unity and sovereign existence. Hence, the paper examined the efforts to whip up national consciousness in post-colonial Nigeria; and the attendant challenges. It averred that History and the Historian are crucial agents of nation building in the country because, they create a strong connect among the peoples of Nigeria by highlighting their shared experiences that tie them to their root and to one another. This gives them a sense of oneness; and build pride in the peoples of Nigeria that they are an intricate part of a whole. Thus, History and the Historian build the bridge through which the peoples of post-colonial Nigeria can cross over religious chauvinism, and ethnic and regional parochialism; and prevent the country from being a mere geographical expression.
Keywords: History, Historian, Nationalism, Ethnicity, Regionalism, and Nation Building.
This study examined the dilemma of Nigerian economic development in historical perspective. It ma... more This study examined the dilemma of Nigerian economic development in historical perspective. It maintained that, the economic development of a society is vital for the welfare, and satisfaction of the needs of members of the society. However, post-colonial Nigeria appears to be at the economic crossroad and faces a dilemma of economic development. In that, since the decolonization of Nigeria in 1960, economic development efforts have suffered many setbacks. This paper held that although conceptualized development planning began in Nigeria during the colonial era in 1946; but that real economic development efforts in the country were undertaken after independence, since the colonial economic policies introduced by Britain were primarily for the satisfaction of British economic interest. In colonial Nigeria, British need for raw materials led to the introduction of new farm products, and a shift from the production of food crops to cash crops. Taxation was also introduced to encourage farmers to grow cash crops; and economic institutions and infrastructures provided to support the colonial economy of Nigeria. These economic developments aided the monetization and commercialization of the Nigerian economy during the period. However, the contact with the Western civilization exposed Nigeria to new models and perspectives of economic development; which this paper argued created the dilemma of what economic development path to take to achieve sustainable economic development. Hence, it concluded that, economic development efforts should be domesticated, and politically regulated, and not determined by government as the people remain the means and ends of development in any society.