History, the Disease of Temporary Amnesia and National Development

Abstract

This paper examines History, the Disease of Temporary Amnesia (Loss of Memory) and National Development. It analyses the concept “History, the disease of Temporary Amnesia and its impact on History as a course of study came to focus. It discusses the undue emphasis on science and technology to the detriment of History. The significance of History to National Development was demonstrated. The data for the research was obtained from primary sources like oral interview and secondary sources, such as newspapers, books (published and unpublished), thesis, dissertation, journals etc. The study found that the relevance of History to National development cannot be over-emphasized. It demonstrated that the disease of ‘Temporary Amnesia’ has negative impact on the study of History. Again the study found that the sarcastic comments that Africa have no history, that African history is nothing more than European activities in Africa is not correct. The earlier statements by European visitors that Africa did not produce advanced civilization have been disproved by the discovering of fine works of art at such places as Nok, Ife, Benin and Igbo Ukwu in Nigeria (Alagoa, 1978:12). In conclusion, it is noted that nation without the knowledge of the past cannot project successfully into the present and future.