I got a seat in the middle of the 2500
capacity lecture hall. That’s the largest the school had then. It was meant for
general classes but this time, we were expecting someone who is coming to
lecture both the students and lecturer. Prof Fredrick Duines is a world
renowned sociologist who had bagged all the awards with his ideas in
sociological theories. A contemporary with Parsons and Merton, whose view about
neo Marxism is the greatest the world has seen. As a 200 level sociology student
then, having the opportunity to listen to Prof Duines was the most amazing
thing. It took the hall five extra minutes after I sat down for it to get
filled. Pressmen were in attendance checking their microphones and camera for a
good view of this presentation. Lecturers brought out their laptops and tablets
and many took pleasure in the conventional jotting with pen on paper. I was
prepared to get the best out of this, thus I sat far from all friends.
Departments in attendance were sociology & anthropology, political science,
International relations, economics and philosophy.
We all stood up to greet the vice
chancellor as he walked into the lecture theater. He had discovered the hall
was too small for the presentation. Calls were made and in a short while
canopies were arranged outside with screen for students who didn’t make it into
the hall. The microphone was tested and the vice chancellor was introduced by
the dean of social sciences.
Vice chancellor: today our great
institution is hosting a world renowned social scientist that has spanned his
knowledge and combed his ideas in the wheels of theories. He is a great
influence to many and a friend to all. Prof Fredrick Duines graduated from the
prestigious Harvard University where he also lectured till he was seventy five.
He did his first ethnological research in Nigeria. Today he has chosen our
institution as a ground for his academic deposit. Thus I expect all present
here at the moment to get the best out of what he is about to present.
As he was rounding off his speech,
Prof Duines walked in and all stood up as he waved us. The registrar walked him
to the stage and age could tell from his voice. The first words that came out
of his mouth were “I need a chalk and a chalkboard”. I’m a teacher not a
motivational speaker. Clapped roared the whole hall as a white board was
manufactured in seconds with different markers showing up. He wrote in capital
letters “ONCE UPON A TIME”.
God created the heavens and the earth and all the architecture of the
earth were in place and God handed over the earth to men. Since that day, God
has been stepping into the situations for men. I’m old and religious now thus I
wouldn’t say God made a mistake by handing over something as great as this
world into the hands of men. The earth grew so fast and trade and investment
grew larger. Societies were built and government imposed. Laws were divined
from the Moses and relatively institutionalized into different societies. Kings
and Queens emerged amongst the people and they demanded worship from their
mates in the name of gods. Civilization started from Africa “The strongest clan
of humans the world possesses” The activities of Africans are overwhelming to
the world. And at a time Egypt took over the world and made them slaves. To be
sincere; most commentaries undermine the strength of Egypt. Egypt captured
God’s beloved and enslaved them for 400 years. God negotiated with pharaoh and
he declined. He felt so powerful within.
After Egypt was dethroned power was spread across the Middle East. There
was no known world power for a long time. Dynasties were built in different
parts of the world but the Persians and the Greek were in preparations of the
world take over. India and china were building up populations and the world was
increasing.
Not to bore you with world history; let me jump to the Romans. When the
Romans took over the world they captured all of Europe, part of Africa and part
of Asia. They were the most mechanized army of all times. With the technology
available at that time, Rome would fight the world and would win. Their entire
males were soldiers and nobility started setting into pace. They became a
better race compared to others. They extended the act of slavery beyond
development and it became pleasure. The dehumanization of mankind started in
Rome and the world embraced it afterwards.
After Rome came Britain, France, Portugal and America. They all had a
taste of masterhood over their fellow men. Africa… the same nation that started
the affair of slavery was the deposit of it. It might interest you to know that
the Israelites were enslaved by Egyptians for four hundred years and Africa went
through the tragedy of slave trade for same four hundred years. Nemesis: a tool
of the gods.
That’s a little history of the evolution of men through the world. Men started
fighting for his freedom from the day God handed over the affairs of this world
into the hands of Adam and the struggle is what I have come to discuss today.
My first trip to Africa was on a ship. It took three months before the
navigation was completed. I wasn’t expectant of what I saw. The sustainable
developmental structure was immense. The political structure was wonderful. The
familial educational structure was excellent. Religion was native though
compared to our Christianity and Islam but there was sanity in the land. Economy
was crude but improving and manual agriculture sustained the society. All these
happened once upon a time.
At these times, the colonial masters were still ravaging the lands in
exploration of natural resources the African nations were not bothered about. Living
was without jealousy and greed was not present in Africa. All lived well and
protected their clans. The slaves were returning to Sierra-Leone and Liberia,
some were relocating to their former nations. The integration wasn’t easy but
acceptance was good and the locals were documenting the experiences of the
sojourners in forms of arts and designs. One thing I knew existed amongst
Africans was LOVE. But today that love is no more.
My name is Olusegun Jubril and this
story is all about love………
