Nigerians have called for documentation of Nigeria’s history in other that it be readily available for future reference.
The call was made at the launching of the book entitled “The Number One Mission, Nigeria’s High Commission UK” authored by Mr. Yemi Edun, in Abuja, Nigeria.
The Labour Party Vice-Presidential candidate in the last elections, Mr. Datti Baba-Ahmed commended the author for his documentation of diplomacy and said he was inspired to follow up on an idea to write a book on the Naira that he has been nursing for a while.
Mr. Baba-Ahmed urged “stakeholders, sponsors, to do everything to keep this book alive and give it the desired attention”.
The Senator Representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson commended the author for documenting the contributions and challenges at various times in Nigeria’s history.
He also said the rich content of the book makes it valuable for academics in Nigeria.
“I’m sure that all of us who love history will appreciate what he has been able to put down. Even going by the snippets of the review that standing here you have done, there is no doubt that this book will make a very interesting read for students of history, for students of governance, for students of leadership and students of diplomacy.
“Some of the events you have tried to capture in writing, some of these events are somehow unconsciously we try to push to the subconscious memory of our nation,” he said.
Senator Dickson also urged those in positions of authority to document their experiences to make it easy to access.
He also purchased twenty copies of the books of his new university library the HENSARD University, Toru Orua, Bayelsa state.
Also, the Chairman Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa expressed excitement about the desire of Mr. Yemi Edun to document Nigeria’s diplomacy from the United Kingdom where he is based.
Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said, “Yemi has been very inspirational; he has done what no one has done as Sen. Dickson said. As for Nigerians in the Diaspora we say that we want them to do what Yemi is doing”.
The NiDCOM boss also commended the America-Nigerian Diaspora who authored the book entitled “OMOWALE”, Mr. Chris Brooks for recognising his Nigerian ancestry and becoming part of the Nigerian family.
Meawhile, the author of the book, Mr. Yemi Edun giving insights into the book said he felt the need to author the book about Nigeria’s history haven being surrounded by the British in the UK.
“I kept gathering information for my education I noticed that this will benefit a lot of people,” he said.
Mr. Edun noted that what isn’t written doesn’t exist; therefore it is imperative to document and project the positive image of Nigeria.
He added that the proceeds from the book launch will be used for philanthropy.
“When we started we did seven hundred and twenty-five wheelchairs last year (725). We are aiming to do one thousand this year. All the profits from this book will go for that” he said.
Noting that he has no political plan, Mr. Edun said he was just enjoying the journey of learning and documenting Nigeria’s history.
Dominica Nwabufo
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