The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Professor Olayemi Akinwumi has presented an award to the best graduating history student of the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Bwari, Abuja.

The award presentation which took place during the annual graduation/prize-giving ceremony of the FGGC, Bwari in Abuja, also witnessed the institutionalization of the "Professor Olayemi Akinwumi Prize for Best Graduating History Student" for the College, a gesture that received wide commendation from the students, parents/guardians and administrators of the College.

Speaking at the auspicious event, the Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by Dr John Adole, Head of Department, History and International Relations, Veritas University, underscored the important role of history in the development of any nation, saying a country that does not give attention to history is bound to fail as it will never appreciate or differentiate where they are coming from, where they are, and where they are heading.

The erudite Professor of history and international scholar, who described history as an academic discipline that studies the past, sees the present, and looks into the future, reiterated the need for teaching and studying history in schools, both at secondary and tertiary levels.

Also, he maintained that no nation and people can do without history, and thanked the Federal Government of Nigeria for reintroducing the humanistic subject during his tenure as the President of Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN), the first Academic Society in Nigeria. 

The renowned historian and Fellow of the Historical Society of Nigeria disclosed that through their painstaking efforts and meeting with the former President of Nigeria, history - which was hitherto removed from the curriculum - was fully restored as a subject to be taught at Secondary Schools and Universities, adding that history should be taken seriously having proven to shape and guide top nations of the world to their path of greatness. 

While presenting the award to Igwe Chinenye - the best graduating history student of the College, the Vice-Chancellor encouraged the students who wish to study history at FUL to ensure that they make the University their preferred choice while enrolling in JAMB, assuring them of admission if they qualify and meet the minimum requirements.

The institutionalization of the "Professor Olayemi Akinwumi Prize for Best Graduating History Student," at the FGGC Bwari, Abuja would no doubt, boost the students' confidence and add new impetus to their morale in studying the important subject as they have braced up to the challenge of putting in their best towards winning the highly coveted award in the next session.