From Esther Akaa, Lafia
The Department of History and International Studies Federal University of Lafia ( FULafia) has graduated its first set of Doctorate Students.
A total number of six students successfully passed their Ph.D external defence Viva presided over by the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi in Lafia.
Speaking on Friday, the Dean Faculty of Arts of the University, Prof Okpeh Okpeh ( Jnr) expressed happiness over the feat recorded by the department of History and International studies, faculty of Arts and the school at large.
Okpeh who is also a lecturer in the department of History and International studies who congratulated the students said History remains a formidable tool for connecting the people to their values and ideals for genuine unity.
” History is very crucial to national development. In every aspect assessment that you pick out for assessment unfortunately for developing countries like Nigeria and indeed Africa the place of History has not been properly dimensioned and put in proper perspectives by our leaders.
” We have not instrumentalised History as a tool for harmonised the various ethnic groups within the country and because of that History has not been elevated into a national policy . You need to move History from a point of just basic knowledge to a policy to which every body subscribe.
” Our leaders have not been able to instill instinctive loyalty on citizens is why Nigerians connect more with their ethnic backgrounds than they will connect with their national values and until you have national values as a people from such diverse backgrounds, you cannot talk about unity and peaceful harmonious existence,” Okpeh said.
He, therefore called on government to initiate programmes that would take History from being an academic discipline to a total way of life to entrench sustainable peace and development.
On his part, the Acting Head of Department of History and International Studies, FULafia, Dr Thaddeus Kyegh, appealed to the federal government to find a lasting solution to incessant strikes in the nation’s universities called on students to remain focused and keep hope alive.
One of the six graduating Doctorate Students Dr. Musa Abdullahi who is also the Deputy Director Editorial, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria ( FRCN) Headquarters Abuja, said that he would utilise his research work experience for the development of humanity.
He, however urged upcoming career civil servants to adopt the principle of hard work, dedication and self development as their watchwords for optimal productivity.
The 2-day Ph.D Viva was presided over by the the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Lokoja Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi as the external examiner, supported by the Dean Postgraduate School of the institution Prof. Victor Dugga and other prominent academics from within and outside the state.
