By Obinna Uballa
Journalist, activist, and author Richard Akinnola has cautioned Nigerian youths against fuelling ethnic divisions, warning that ignorance of history could push the country into another crisis.
Speaking at his 67th birthday celebration in Lagos, themed “Handshake Across the Niger: The Yoruba – Igbo Detente”, Akinnola stressed the importance of unity and historical awareness in sustaining peace, particularly between the Yoruba and Igbo communities in Lagos.
“We can’t allow our young people, who don’t understand history, to push us into another crisis,” he said, recalling his own experience of Nigeria’s turbulent past, including the civil war and the struggles against military rule.
Akinnola, known for his intervention during the #EndSARS protests, said Gen Z often relies on inaccurate social media narratives without understanding the country’s historical roots. He described education as key, noting: “History itself is a school, deeply tied to the present. If you don’t know where you’re coming from, you won’t know how to tackle issues.”
Reflecting on the state of the nation, Akinnola said it was too early to judge the current government but expressed optimism that the economy might stabilise before 2027 despite challenges of waste and profligacy.
He urged Nigerian youths to draw lessons from past struggles, citing South Africa’s Operation Dudula movement as an example of how historical ignorance can breed destructive ideologies. “If they understand where we’re coming from, they’ll be able to moderate their views,” he said.
Akinnola, who described himself as a detribalised Nigerian, emphasised the need for reconciliation and peaceful coexistence, insisting that unity remains the country’s best safeguard against renewed instability.
