These essays attempt to focus the light of history on Nigeria, Nigerians and their contemporary condition and thus to help show the way forward. The root idea here is that fundamental to all historical works – that when the mind interacts with the past or facts of the past, the result is something like a torchlight whose beam is focused on the present, thus enabling us to achieve a better understanding of the problems which face us and to attempt a rational solution to them. Afigbo has probed deep into Nigeria’s past, bringing out all the facets, all the elements, and all the issues that are necessary to improve the present. This set of essays by Afigbo presents significant data relating to the experiences of Nigeria. Derived from Afigbo’s alchemy of powerful observations, his dynamic astuteness in drilling and utilizing excellent archival resource, and his idyllic projection of his hermeneutic prowess, the book gives us a creative paradigm to understand Nigeria. By alluding to specific events he diligently prescribes their relevance, revealing their epochal implications within the purview of social action. Herein is embedded Afigbo’s magnificent contribution to the corpus of the Nigerian cultural, social, political, and historical scholarship. Anthony Agbali, Wayne State University To Africanists, Professor Adiele Afigbo needs no introduction. He is, as is well-known, the “dean” of the history of the Igbo—but as this volume reminds us, the reach of his scholarship extends beyond the Igbo past. Chidiebere Nwaubani, University of Colorado at Boulder. Afigbo’s intellectual output and the extremely high standards of his research and scholarship serve as an enduring monument to his lifetime of labor in the writing of Nigerian history and engagement with issues of the moment. Ayodeji Olukoju, Head of Department, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

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