A Professor of History and Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), Olukoya Ogen, has charged the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, to set machinery in motion for the floating of a Foundation that will generously fund Yoruba history, fellowships, research grants and prizes.

He also urged historians and researchers to make projections and proffer solutions to societal challenges.
Ogen, who gave the charge while delivering the 21st inaugural lecture of Osun State University, Osogbo, praised Afenifere for prioritising the socio-economic and political development of Yorubaland.

The don advised that the time is ripe for the broadening of Afenifere’s mandates to incorporate the promotion of historical research and cultural rejuvenation.

In his lecture titled: “Reconstructing a silenced past: Echoes of revisionism and counter hegemonic history,” the renowned historian and cultural enthusiast advocated the production of alternative, non-statist, counter hegemonic history that can recover suppressed and historically marginalised voices.

He said: “We need to conduct research in all aspects of our history, and every group must be covered. The current historical biography is tilted towards one particular part. You cannot study the whole without studying the part.”

Ogen also called for inclusion of cultural and moral teachings in the school curriculum from primary to the university level to address moral decadence and depravity among youths.Speaking at the event,

Meanwhile, in his response, the National Organising Secretary of the organisation, Abagun Kole Omololu, said Yoruba is part of world’s history and should be properly documented. He said that the research foundation is a welcome idea and the group would consider the lecturer’s recommendations.