An experienced academic staff, Department of History and International Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Chukwuma Opata, has offered an insight into why the western is claiming civilization ahead of Africa despite its rich cultural heritage.

Opata, who gave the clarification while speaking as a guest lecturer at a memorial lecture in honour of Late Prof. Catherine Acholonu, organised by the Centre for African Cultural Sciences and the Department of Tourism Studies,UNN, insisted that human civilisation started from Igbo land before moving to Europe and other parts of the world .

Stating facts to prove his claim, the academia regretted that the failure of Africa to tell the story had made the Western world not only claim civilization but also regard Africans as people without history.

He described Acholonu as an advocate for Nigerian identity, who ensured that the Nigeria’s contributions to civilization were not only remembered but also According to him, the late academia worked diligently to ensure that artefacts like the Ikom Monoliths were included in the World Monuments Fund in its 2008 Watch List of 100 most endangered sites for cultural presentation.

Earlier, the Acting Head, Department of Tourism Studies, Dr Chidinma Oguamanam highlighted the significant contributions of Professor Acholonu to the understanding of the Igbo people and their cultural heritage.

Oguamanam pointed out that Acholonu was a visionary scholar whose research challenged traditional narratives and provided new insights into Igbo history.

According to her, Acholonu’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations of scholars and researchers, especially on the complex history of the Igbo people, and paid tribute to the great scholar.

Also, the daughter of the late professor, Ms Ifunanya Acholonu said the perception of Black Africa by western scholarship as dark, dormant, without history or civilization had always rankled her mother, who was fascinated by the Black African identity.

She maintained that though her mother was not a historian but a scholar of literature, African literary studies and According to her, her mother felt the pressure to engage in her own research and discover for herself the true story of Africa and whether or not Africa played a role in the history of mankind and civilization.

“She discovered that prehistoric Igbos influenced world civilization and gave humanity writings, language, belief systems, knowledge, culture, and wisdom.”