The Historian and Society

Description

This selection of writings by Yusufu Bala Usman spans the years of his engagement as a leading Nigerian historian, political activist and public intellectual (1972–2005). They demonstrate his belief that the historian has an obligation to utilise the tools of historical analysis and bring them to bear on the major issues of the times in order to proffer solutions to contemporary problems, without regard to traditional disciplinary boundaries. These writings illustrate a number of important themes that underlie Usman's work. These include: the nature of political communities, how they develop and how they evolve through the migration and mingling of peoples and the creation of new social relations; the nature of the economic crisis facing Nigeria as a dependent neo-colonial society, its causes and solutions; the role of historiographical materials in the search for the nature of present-day society; the nature and meaning of political power and the necessity of political participation by all members of society. Through the examination of these issues, Usman clearly demonstrates his commitment to exposing their underlying nature and penetrating the smokescreen of false beliefs and narratives which are standing in the way of progress for the peoples of Nigeria and Africa as a whole. GEORGE KWANASHIE is Professor of History (now retired) at Ahmadu Bello University and Gombe State University. He was a colleague of Yusufu Bala Usman over many years. They collaborated in editing several volumes on modern Nigerian history and worked together on many projects, workshops, seminars and other activities. NORMA PERCHONOCK is a Sociologist with many years of teaching and research in Nigeria. She is currently the Director of the Yusufu Bala Usman Institute in Zaria, Nigeria. She was a long-time colleague and associate of Yusufu Bala Usman.