***Says Books Inspire Nations’ Infrastructural Devt
By Miriam Humbe
Philip Akpen, a Professor of History, and lecturer in the Faculty of Arts, University of Abuja, on Saturday in Abuja, launched two books on Nigeria’s infrastructure.
The books are titled: Modernizing Northern Nigeria: Infrastructure, Rural Facilities And Urban Amenities 1960-1999, and Infrastructure Facilities And Urban Amenities In Makurdi: North Central Nigeria 1927-1999.
The History Professor, Akpen said that the books were meant to help tackle the problem of infrastructure deficit in the country.
Professor Akpen said: “Government needs to fund infrastructure, government needs to develop infrastructure in the rural areas, government needs to build roads and railways.
“It will help to upgrade some of the rural areas to high profile economically viable areas. It will also help some of those places that are backward to be upgraded.
“Government needs to support in terms of providing the finance, policies and development programs.
Professor Akpen spoke on the importance of reading books and how books bring about development in the society.
The Author said: “The more you read, the more you understand, the more you have ideas to move your society forward.
“After all, the advanced nations and societies are built based on the ideas of people written in books, so sure, we can develop our society through books, through reading, through writing.”
Professor Philip Akpen also spoke on Public Private Partnership and how his two new books can help in improving infrastructure development in Nigeria.
Prof Akpen said: “Government needs to empower private persons in businesses. Look at electricity, look at roads, people who are doing transport businesses are not making it because the roads are bad, government needs to fund infrastructure so that the infrastructure will work, be sustainable and also help in developing the society.
“My books can help in improving infrastructure development because I have been able to review the policies and programs in the past, and I have argued that we must revisit what has already been done in the past.
“If you revisit what has been done in the past, you will know whether you made mistakes, whether there are problems or issues that need to be addressed, then you will be able to reposition your infrastructure programs and policies.”
Chairman of the occasion, Bashir Dalhatu the Wazirin Dutse, who is also the Board of Trustees of the Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF), said that looking at the infrastructure deficit in the North, it was key and worthy of commendation that Prof Akpen concentrated his books on infrastructure in the Northern part of Nigeria.
The Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, Professor Aisha Makurdi was represented at the book launch by Prof Madu Amuchi, the Dean in the Faculty of Arts.
The VC said that she was particularly impressed with Prof Philip Akpen’s passion about infrastructural development.
She said that Prof Akpen has successfully brought issues of deficit in Nigeria’s infrastructure from 1927-1999 to the fore, and challenged policy makers to act accordingly.
The books reviewer, Prof. Patrick Ukase, Director, Centre for Pre-Degree & Diploma Studies, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyingba in Kogi State,
described historians as prophets who look backwards.
He commended the author for his resilience in bringing history to the future.
Second book reviewer, Dr. Emmanuel Osewe Akubor said the books are coming at a time when the whole concept of infrastructure is being misunderstood in Nigeria.
Dr. Akubor said that Prof Akpen’s major argument in Modernizing Northern Nigeria should be the core if Nigeria is to actually experience infrastructure development.
He said the books query why even with budgetary allocations, there is still infrastructure deficit.
Dr. Akubor said the book, Modernizing Northern Nigeria: Infrastructure, Rural Facilities And Urban Amenities 1960-1999, was most appreciated as the topic is novel as not much has been written in that area.
Dr. Akubor said: “The author deserves accolades for putting the master piece together”.
He therefore recommended the books to policy makers and all well meaning individuals.
