Gbenro Adesina
The Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), has bemoaned the state of Nigeria, saying, “The Nigerian society seems to have lost its humanity with increasing violence and human indignities”.
NAL also observed that “Bad examples set by the malfeasant elite and the corrupt leadership encourage perfidy and excessive materialism that are deleterious to the moral health of the society”.
Stressing that rebellion of youths stems from deep frustration, thereby having a negative impact on popular culture that tends to celebrate vice, the Academy could not hide its disgust at the abuse and misuse of religion and science, which has made people to resort to diverse forms of harmful escape to find relief from alienation and harsh conditions of life.
According to NAL, educational institutions alone could not salvage the decadent and fallen Nigerian society whose values have been perverted by prolonged military rule and denial of human rights.
“Media reportage and representations of images and narratives about events, places and people seem to shape our perceptions about people, events and our society. Benign arts that have the capacity to influence behaviour positively lack patronage, while malignant arts that offer instant gratification but bastardise values and hasten degeneration are promoted by money-mongering companies”, NAL added.
These were some of the observations made at the end of the Academy’s Convocation Lecture and the stimulating Scientific Session during its combined 22nd and 23rd convocation themed “What is it to be Human?” and investiture of new fellows held in University of Lagos on Thursday August 12, 2021.
The Convocation Lecture titled “Descent from Humanism: Music, Literature and the Media” was delivered by Professor Olu Obafemi,
Three well-researched papers on the Convocation theme were also presented at the Scientific Session by Professor Lai Oso of the School of Communication, Lagos State University; Professor Jim Unah, Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos, and Professor Alex Asigbo of the Department of Theatre and Film Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
The event, which had 101 professors from different Nigerian and overseas universities in attendance, was presided over by its immediate past President, Professor Francis Egbokhare of the Department of Linguistics, University of Ibadan (UI).
In a communique signed by its incumbent President, Professor Duro Oni, the body made seven recommendations as parts of the ways of solving the problems confronting Nigeria. The recommendations are:
“There is an urgent need for a humanising education that would restore humanity to the path of peace and moral rearmament at the family and societal levels.
“Media reports should take into consideration historical contexts in the presentations of events in society.
“The positive aspects of religion and science/technology should be harnessed to bridge the gap between utopia and reality.
“There is the need for the continuous exploration of the various disciplines in the arts for the benefit of humanity in Nigeria.
“The family as an institution should be empowered to regain its stability in order to discharge its moral and teaching responsibilities to children effectively.
“The school system should partner with government and parents in training the individual for the common good of the country.
“Government should be more responsive to the plight of the citizens, especially the youth by making policies that are youth-centred and beneficial to all”.
At the event, attended by the Vice Chancellors, University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, and Federal University, Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, 26 new members were inducted.
Also, 13 new Regular Fellows: Professors Abayomi O. Akinyeye, Andrew Haruna, Imelda Icheji Lawrence Udoh, Olusegun Adesina Adekoya, Mabel Itohanosa Erioyumvwen Evwierhoma, David Roger Jowitt, Ahmed Parker Yerima, Adebola Babatunde Ekanola, Frank Madubuchi Dukor, Olayemi Durotimi Akinwumi, Lateef Babatunde Ayeleru, Isidore Okeawolam Diala, Tanure Ojaide, and one Honorary Fellow Most Reverend, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, were admitted to the College of Fellows of the Academy.
