By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
Frontline historian, Chief Anthony Prest has commended President Bola Tinubu for ensuring an immediate return of history studies to primary and secondary schools in Nigeria.
He has also pledged to enlist 44 million Pan-Africanists who will tour the 774 local government areas of the country to sensitize the people about African heroes and their contributions to the independence of many countries on the continent.
Prest, a Pan Africanist, is the son of Chief Arthur Prest, one of the founders of Action Group and deputy leader to the Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
He spoke with journalists at an open art exhibition in Abuja yesterday.
Three months ago, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced that the President had mandated the return of Nigerian History as a subject in primary and secondary schools.
History was scrapped as a subject from the education curriculum in 2009.
Prest, in an interview with journalists, described it as a welcome development, saying no society can progress without the people knowing about the History.
He said, “I am happy that Asiwaju brought History back to our schools. That’s dynamism. You know History is significant. Our children need to be told everything. You can see a considerable debate in America about teaching the History of slavery. I think History is a good thing.
“We will also start educating our kids on Panama in primary and secondary schools in Abuja. We are going to provide buses and mobile exhibition tents that tell the story of slavery, its abolition, major players in the illicit trade, and the liberation of Africa.
“Nigerians need to understand that we come from possibly the richest country in the world. I am hopeful Nigerians will enjoy it. We need to be patient with Mr President. The man is working 24 hours a day. They don’t sleep in the villa.”
He also supported President Bola Tinubu for upholding the struggle for democratic value rights long before he became a senator and the country’s leader.
*Pledges to enlist 44 million volunteers for awareness in communities
Prest said he had started mobilising 44 million Nigerians to educate and enlighten the people about what they had missed in the last 15 years: that History was scrapped from the school’s curriculum.
He said, “It’s a whole process. We’re going round the country. We’re going to all the 774 local governments. We’re taking this educational exhibition to the 774 local governments.
“We’re going to all the markets in Abuja. We’re going to all the primary schools and secondary schools in Abuja. We’re going to have buses. We’re going to have mobile exhibition tents.
“Nigerians need to begin to understand that we come from a superior race. We need to know that this country is possibly the wealthiest in the world. A country that has over 1,000 freshwater rivers. Some countries don’t have freshwater rivers.
“A big country like South Africa doesn’t have one freshwater river. This land is the land of milk and honey.
“We need to begin to know that this will be our land, which is the land of milk and honey. I have been around the world many times. I can tell you for free that Nigeria is the wealthiest country in the world, without a doubt.
“So Nigerians need to begin to know that this is the richest place in the world,” he added.
