AE-FUNAI History And Strategic Studies Graduating Students Inducted INTO HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF NIGERIA
From Omaka OKOH (Ebonyi)
The 2022/2023 graduating students of the Department of History and Strategic Studies, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State has been inducted into the Historical Society of Nigeria.
The induction ceremony which was part of the departmental 2nd Annual National Conference, themed: “Governance and Insecurity in Nigeria: Problems and Prospects”, was the first of its kind in the annals of the University.
The conference which held at the Theatre Arts’ Auditorium of the University was centered on the deeply intertwined issues of governance and Insecurity with a focus on Nigeria as Africa’s most populous country, which has faced significant governance and insecurity challenges that have hindered its meaningful development.
Declaring the conference open, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Elom, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Romanus Ejiaga, expressed delight that the University has the honor of hosting the conference with local and national participation, and described it as one that not only serves the interest of the members of the academia but, also policy makers, law enforcement personnel and security professionals in Nigeria.
He noted that the theme of the conference was relevant given the enormous implications insecurity has on sustainable economic growth and development.
The Vice-Chancellor stressed that the elevated level of corruption, leadership deficit and economic mismanagement have created the fertile grounds that have given birth to many social vices that are plaguing our society despite various government’s efforts.
He further stated that Nigeria in recent time, has recorded unprecedented security challenges such as militancy, armed robbery, banditry, Herders/farmers’ clashes, cultism among other social vices, noting that at the end of the conference, participants would have gained in terms of knowledge and sharing of ideas that can positively transform the society.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Acting Head, Department of History and Strategic Studies,, Dr. Arua Oko, said that the conference was aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities of governance and insecurity in our country, exploring not only the problems but also the potential paths towards sustainable solutions. He seized the opportunity to welcome graduating students into the Historical Society of Nigeria, stating that the induction marks the beginning of a new journey for the inductees who will explore the rich and diverse history of our nation and urged them as future historians, to take up the role of preserving our rich heritage by providing contexts to the issues we face today as a nation.
While also speaking at the occasion, the Acting Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Dr. Onuorah Benedict Nweke, represented by Prof. Donatus Ajaegbo, stated that the critical role the institutions of higher learning play in development and progress of a nation cannot be over emphasized, adding that their influence extends beyond education, to impacting various aspects of society and contributing significantly to nation building.
He noted that AEFUNAI, as an institution of higher learning has constantly contributed towards our nation’s development through research and knowledge impartation, and pleaded with Nigerians to support in making the country a better place.
The keynote speaker and the President, Historical Society of Nigeria, Prof. Samuel Aghanilo who was represented by the National Secretary of the Society, Prof. Patrick Ukasie who dwelt on the theme of the day, firstly commended the University’s management for approving the conference and the department for their consistency in organizing conferences and urged them not to relent.
He described the key aspects of the theme as; the nature of insecurity in Nigeria which manifests in various forms, such as terrorism and insurgency, ethnic and communal conflicts, banditry and kidnap
