THE conferment, recently, of the Fellow of the Historical Society of Nigeria (FHSN) on Prof. Siyan Oyeweso couldn't have come at a better time than now. The academic did not only merit the honour, he has, over the years, distinguished himself as a historian of international reckoning.Apart from obtaining all his university degrees ' First Degree, Masters, and Ph.D ' in History, the volume and quality of his publications attest to his high rating as a scholar who has History flowing in his blood.Renowned as a rigorous scholar, in Prof. Oyeweso, the academic lives. In his career so far, he has not allowed success to blunt the sharp edge of his scholarly productivity. Indeed, he is clearly and unquestionably a leading authority on Nigerian history and politics, and this is clearly evident in his publications since 1986.The elevated quality of the corpus of his writings cuts across the diverse trajectories of compelling perspectives on history, weighty contemporary issues that border on the health of the Nigerian nation, as well as the defining issues involved in the nationalist ferment that midwifed national autonomy for Nigeria in 1960.In all his writings, Oyeweso projects the sound and outstanding scholar and researcher that dwell in him with incisive, insightful and illuminating thoughts which are simultaneously provocative and penetrating.His first major publication, Perspectives on the Nigerian Civil War, (Lagos: OAP, 1992) shows the depth of his understanding of Nigeria's problems, while his book on Badagry, which he co-edited with G. O. Ogunremi and M.O. Opeloye, remains, till date, an indispensable road-map to scholars of Badagry history and culture.Another work, Eminent Yoruba Muslims (2001), is also crucial to our understanding of the history of Islam in Yorubaland in the last two hundred years. The book is regarded as the first major effort since G.O. Gbadamosi's work - The Growth of Islam Among the Yoruba (London: Longman, 1978), in addition to being a supplement and complement to the works of Professors H. O. Danmole, Musa Abdul and Saka Balogun on the growth of Islam among the Yoruba.Oyeweso's other published works included Journey from Epe: Biography of S.L. Edu (1996), Struggle for National Liberation and Social Justice (2003). Oyeweso is also an eminent scholar who will not forget his origin. In year 2011 alone, he successfully edited and produced two major books about the people of Osun State. The first, Ijesa Icons & the Making of Modern Nigeria (a publication of the College of Humanities and Culture, Osun State University) is in recognition of the socio-political and economic contributions of the Ijesa people beyond the Osomalo phenomenon.The second book, From Leo Ajiborisa to Rauf Aregbesola: Perspective on Osun State is an unprecedented document of 20 years of Osun State. The book explores different themes such as the governance, geography, culture, arts, etc.He has also just completed a full-length study on Yoruba history entitled Ede in Yoruba History, which will soon be released.Significantly, what endear him to all and sundry is the fact that in all his publications and through his teaching, Oyeweso makes people think. He is a prolific historian of Nigeria. He writes because he cannot stop, just as he has to teach because he hates ignorance. He is a startling instructor and an inspiration to successive generations of students. Above all, he is a very humble scholar and great humanist.The opening stanza of his acceptance speech after the conferment of the fellowship award testified to this virtue of humility.Hear him: 'It gives me a great pleasure to stand before this gathering of eminent Nigerian historians and scholars of diverse academic backgrounds to deliver my acceptance speech for the conferment of the Fellow of the Historical Society of Nigeria (FHSN) on me.'I am particularly delighted that this Fellowship is coming from my immediate professional association, the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN). To me, it is a great honour to be considered worthy by our own academic and professional body for this coveted fellowship.'I am bold to say that the Historical Society of Nigeria is not only one of the oldest professional associations in Nigeria but also one of the few professional bodies that have overcome all challenges to remain relevant in contemporary Nigeria. The HSN has produced the best set of academic scholars, professionals and managers at all levels of governance in Nigeria.'Prof. Oyeweso went ahead to underscore the contribution of historians to overall development of a nation. He said, 'It must be emphasised that Nigerian historians led by the Ibadan School of History contributed immensely to nationalism, decolonisation, nation building and socio-economic and political development of Nigeria since the 1950s.'Since independence in 1960, the Ife, Lagos and Zaria Schools of History as well as history departments in several other Nigerian universities have joined forces with the Ibadan school to chart course for Nigeria's development.'A pointer to this fact is that, at different times, members of HSN had served and are still serving as Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian universities. People in this category include Late Professors K.O. Dike and Saburi Biobaku and the living legends such as Professors J.F.A. Ajayi, Tekena Tamuno, E.A. Ayandele, Abdullahi Mahadi, Omoniyi Adewoye and our own Sola Akinrinade (current VC of Osun State University).'To all these trail blazers, I dedicate this award because they showed us the light of history, set the minimum benchmark for historical profession in Nigeria and positioned history for the task of nation building in Nigeria.'Instructively, the speech, which was laced with acknowledgement and appreciation of all the personalities that contributed to the making of Oyeweso, began with his teachers who laid the foundation at primary and post primary levels.'I want to use this opportunity to remember and appreciate all my past teachers and mentors. I dedicate the award to all teachers of history particularly at the primary and post primary levels. My relationship with history as a subject began in my primary school days,' he recalled.Continuing, he said, 'At the secondary school, Mr Ademola Oladosu, my teacher and friend at Oke Iragbiji Grammar School, Iragbiji, set me on the path of history when he advised and assisted me to be in the humanities having got distinctions in the science, art and commercial subjects. I ended up in getting A1 in History when I sat for the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE). Not only this, I got my First Degree in History in 1982, Masters Degree in History in 1985; and a Ph.D. in History in 1995.'Another virtue that has stood him out is his deep attachment to culture coupled with his great organizational ability. He is a strong and active member of the team that organised the Osun State sponsored Global Conference of Black Nationalities and World Summit of Mayors International Conference. These conferences, unarguably, show-cased the rich cultural heritage of Osun people and also put the state on global reckoning. Apart from these, Professor Oyeweso also served as the Chairman, Local Organizing Committee of the 25th Conference of Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU 2010). As a dutiful indigene of Edeland, he has served in several committees seeking the development of his homeland and State. Thus, since 2008 till date, he serves as a consultant to Education Committee of Ede Descendants' Union, the Secretary, Ede Day Planning Committee, 2008; while he chaired the widely publicised 2010 Ede Mapo Arogun Day and the Agbale Award for Excellence, 2011.Really, the eminent scholar with a self-effacing demeanour has shown excellent leadership in documenting the history of Nigeria and its people. He has also served as a mentor to several junior and beginning scholars. One salient feature of Oyeweso's career is that he is very knowledgeable about the sacred Odu of Yoruba Ifa corpus and has mastered the intricacies of the culture and philosophy.In Yoruba belief system, the thematic preoccupation of Ifa and the only thing Ifa seeks is Iwa (character), and without it, every other thing is lost. Within the cicle of the intellectuals, Prof. Oyeweso is toasted as an Omoluabi scholar. In private and public spaces, he is believed to have maintained and advanced Iwa Pele (humility), in addition to having a keen sense of service and respect for his profession and colleagues.
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