Gbenga Sokefun, an accomplished Author and Music Executive, believes that instilling knowledge of Nigeria diverse tribes and cultures among children can serve as a catalyst to promote unity. During a conversation in Lagos, Sokefun—an author of Nigerian-American descent—shared this comment about his latest book titled ‘Adigun’. His perspective suggests that familiarity with history fosters a deeper comprehension among the populace of myriad countries. In fostering unity and peaceful coexistence within the multi-ethnic society of Nigeria, he emphasized the indispensable need for a comprehensive understanding of diverse cultural beliefs and heritages.
Gaining a comprehensive understanding of Nigerian history, encompassing various ethnic groups, cultural legacies, and religious practices, fosters mutual comprehension and strengthens the bond of unity within the nation. The United Kingdom, United States, Germany, and Saudi Arabia stand strong in their unity due to the shared bond of history and heritage within their citizenry. When the country decided to remove history from the educational program of schools, it inadvertently cast aside the very essence of unity within Nigeria.
It is imperative that young ones acquire sufficient knowledge.
He emphasized the need to take a fresh approach and prioritize the inclusion of history in school syllabus, while also emphasizing the responsibility of parents to actively educate their children about the subject. Sokefun, an individual from the Yoruba tribe and the writer behind Adigun, immersed his book with various aspects of history and culture, particularly focusing on the Igbo Culture. He urges Nigerians to delve into his book in order to grasp the valuable insights into history that lie within its pages. In his book, he shed light on the individuals responsible for resisting colonization, the rich heritage and attire of the Fulani people, as well as delving into historical events surrounding the renowned Okoro Toti and the diverse array of masquerades unique to certain cultures.
Hence, he claimed that Nigeria held a multitude of captivating tales, still left unshared, which if recounted, had the potential to cultivate harmony within the nation. Despite this, he encouraged Nigerian Content Creators to focus on showcasing a greater number of Nigerian and African narratives across diverse mediums like films, video games, and other platforms. Despite being a Christian, his strong grasp and comprehension of the Islamic Religion have fostered a deep affection towards Islam as a faith. It is imperative that young ones acquire sufficient knowledge regarding the challenges faced by late Samuel Ajayi-Crowther, Usman Dan-Fodio, Okoro Toti, and numerous other notable figures from our history.
Citizens have failed to effectively convey their stories.
The importance of sharing the Nigerian personal narratives is paramount. The reason behind Americans’ prosperity lies in the unyielding pride in their identity. Sokefun, a lawyer and industrialist, lamented that Nigerians have failed to effectively convey their stories and establish their identity, thus relying on the international communities to tell our narratives. The writer implored the Federal Government to grant increased authority to the National Orientation Agency (NOA) so as to develop initiatives that would instill a sense of positivity and enduring national pride among Nigerians.
Furthermore, the epic tale of ‘Adigun’ takes us on a journey through the lives of two young men from West Africa, Adigun and Chike. Circumstances, both unique and interconnected, compel them to navigate their formative years in distant Western lands – the United Kingdom and the United States of America. In the Nigerian town of Jobore, bathed in radiant sunlight and surrounded by tropical beauty, and in cosmopolitan cities like London, Chicago, Washington, Amsterdam, and Maryland, their personal journeys of self-discovery were marked by enduring the challenges of living in foreign territories while simultaneously navigating the complexities of their own Cultural Heritage.
Both protagonists of the book encountered significant obstacles.
These individuals ventured into the realms of crime, straying from the conventional path. Each of them knowingly embraced the ambiguity of their moral boundaries, eventually coming together unexpectedly, armed with answers that unveiled the true essence of life. Both protagonists encountered significant obstacles in their journey towards manhood while living in the constant presence of their dominant fathers. Adigun faces a daunting test, burdened with the mental division caused by attempting to harmonize his devotion to both his biological and adopted fathers. Chike possesses an unwavering determination to emancipate himself from the grip of his exceedingly affluent father and establish his own mark in terms of reputation, bounty, and prestige. In his quest for success, he defies numerous conventions, only to stumble upon concealed truths about his father that unexpectedly forge a bond between them, ultimately leading him to his rightful inheritance.
