Jaja Tasks HSN On Accurate History

The Amanyanabo and
Natural Ruler of Opobo Kingdom, His Majesty King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, has charged the History Society of Nigeria (HSN)  to feed the public with the correct history of the people not distorted one aimed at serving the personal interest of some individuals, adding that a correct history of the people about their yesterday gives them good background to forge ahead for the future.
King Jaja stated this at the HSN’s 68th Annual Conference with the theme ‘Nigeria Counts’ at the University of Port Harcourt, recently.
He said in recent times, history is written to serve some persons’ aggrandizement while the important aspect of it is being distorted.
He advised historians to consult traditional rulers who are the custodians of culture and tradition of the people to get first hand information before writing.
He called on HSN to as a matter of importance supervise and scrutinize content of history before letting it out to the public, noting that a wrong information about a people has a great negative implication not only on the people but on generations unborn.
The monarch’s position came on the heels of the decision by the Federal Ministry of Education to expunge history from the curriculum, saying, he has been one of the Nigerians who is vehemently opposed to the idea.
King Jaja who is also the Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers maintained that Nigerians have so much to benefit from the teaching of history in schools, and indicated that the incident that happened in Akasa Kingdom, several years ago was war not raid as it was reported by a distorted history
He went further to educate that in the days of colonial rule, the  Council of Traditional Rulers as it is known today was known as House of Chiefs and were empowered to adjudicate on traditional matters.
Expressing disgust that politicians are now regarded  as heroes while those prominent historical names  like King Jaja, Oba Ovonramwen, King Kosoko,  Obong of Calabar who, he said fought for what  we are enjoying today have been swept under the carpet. He congratulated HSN for its effort in organising  the lecture which he said is a clear indication that history is and will continue to be part of human existence.
Meanwhile,  King Jaja has called for public enlightenment campaign on the importance of speed limit device in vehicles, suggesting that flyers, hand bills and leaflets be printed in languages to enable local people read and understand the necessity of the device.
He made the assertion while receiving the Zonal Commanding Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps, Zone 6, Port Harcourt, Mr Jonas Agwu and the Sector Commander, Mr Andrew Kumukpayi in his office in Port Harcourt.
He said parks should be established in  some parts of the city so that commercial vehicles can conveniently pick and drop passengers rather than blocking all the roads in the city. He added that zebra crossing be also put on major roads to allow for easy passage of school children.
Earlier in his speech,  Mr Jonas Agwu said the essence of their visit to the Chairman’s office was to intimate him of the development and appealed to the  King  to use his good offices to help educate  the people on the device.