Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has cautioned against the distortion of historical facts.
This is as he linked the recent communal clashes experienced in the state to misinformation.
Speaking at the Adeleke University, Ede, on Tuesday, during a methodology workshop themed “Cutting Edge Knowledge Production for 21st Historians and Diplomats”;, Adeleke emphasised the role of historians in maintaining accuracy.
The workshop, organised by the Historical Society of Nigeria in collaboration with 12 universities from South-West Nigeria, is aimed at improving historical documentation and research methods.
Adeleke, represented by a commissioner in the Osun Teaching Service Commission, Dr. Abioye Oyewusi, attributed communal clashes in Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin Osun to historical misrepresentation.
Adeleke said, “We have had issues of communal clashes in the last couple of days. History lets the fact speak for itself. The best anyone can do is narrate, but a lot of historical facts are being distorted.”;
The governor, who insisted that facts should not be altered under any circumstances, urged historians and diplomats to remain objective.
“As historians and future diplomats, I enjoin us, let’s always side with facts. No matter how we are emotionally attached to the subject, we should not allow the facts to be distorted,”; he added.
He highlighted the cultural and emotional attachment of Africans to land as a major factor fueling land disputes across communities.
“Part of the problem regarding land issues is that, in our view as Africans, we are culturally and emotionally attached to land. But when culture and emotional attachment to land become weaponised, it becomes a problem,”; he said.
To address the crisis, Adeleke revealed that the Osun State Security Trust Fund would be utilised to enhance security measures in affected communities.
Vice-Chancellor of Adeleke University, Prof. Solomon Adebola, emphasised the critical role historians play in fostering social transformation and sustainable development.
“Historians are key players in shaping societal progress. Their work must be rooted in truth to avoid conflicts arising from misinformation,”; Adebola said.
The chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr. Mary Lewu, stressed that the workshop aimed to explore diverse approaches and techniques for understanding history.
South West Vice President of the Historical Society of Nigeria, Dr. Fidelis Egbe, called for improved documentation of historical events to ensure reliability for future reference.
Prof Siyan Oyeweso, Chairman of the Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, also commended the initiative, urging historians to uphold the integrity of historical records.
The workshop drew participants from 12 universities, including Adeleke University, Federal University of Education (Oyo), Ajayi Crowther University, and Obafemi Awolowo University.
Historians and scholars at the event emphasized the need for meticulous documentation and unbiased reporting to prevent conflicts fueled by historical distortions.
