Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called on historians to avoid distortion of facts to prevent communal conflicts.
Adeleke stated this at Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, on Tuesday, at the methodology workshop with the theme, ‘Cutting Edge Knowledge Production for 21st Historians and Diplomats,’ organised by the Historical Society of Nigeria in collaboration with 12 universities in South West Nigeria.
The governor, represented by Dr Abioye Oyewusi, a commissioner in Osun Teaching Service Commission, who linked the recent communal crises that ravaged Ifon, Illobu and Erin Osun to distortion of facts, challenged historians not to allow bias and to always safeguard facts.
“The conference has come at a timely period. Tough times don’t last, but tough people do. We must allow peace to reign in our society. We have had issues of communal clashes in the last couple of days. History lets the fact speaks for themselves. The best anyone can do is to narrate, but a lot of historical facts are being distorted.
“The communal crises that happened in Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin Osun are about the distortion of facts. Facts should not be distorted on any account. As historians and future diplomats, I encourage us all let’s always side with facts. No matter how we are emotionally attached to the subject, we should not allow the facts to get distorted.
“Not just for today, but for tomorrow. Part of the problem regarding the land issue is that our view as Africans, we are culturally and emotionally attached to the land. But when culture and emotional attachment to land become weaponised, it becomes a problem,” Adeleke said.
Offering solution, Adeleke who said the current cycle of violence would be addressed through the State Security Trust Fund, that will help to enhance security in the state, and importantly, the state is looking to starting a peace, safety and security programme right from primary school through the entire school system in the state. Let our youth know about peace right from primary school.”
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Adeleke University, Prof Solomon Adebola, identified historians as key players in social transformation and sustainable development, urging them to live up to expectations and contribute their quota to peace and development of the country.
In her welcome address at the event attended by the participants drawn from Adeleke University, Adeyemi Federal University, Ajayi Crowther University, Babcock University, Bowen University, Fountain University, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Kola Daisi University, Obafemi Awolowo University, McPherson University, Osun State University and Redeemers University, the chairman of local organising committee, Dr. Mary Lewu, said the workshop would explore the diverse approaches and techniques that shape understanding of history.
Lewu also said, during the workshop, that participants will engage in discussions, share insights and challenge each other’s perspectives and admonished them to participate actively by asking questions and sharing experiences.
In their separate remarks, the South West Vice President, Historical Society of Nigeria, Dr Fidelis Egbe, and the Chairman of the Governing Council, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof ‘Siyan Oyeweso, commended the host institution and called for proper documentation of historical events to make them reliable tools for future use.