FOREWORD

Perspective of Nigerian Peoples and Culture is a textbook on General studies for students of Akwa Ibom State University. In Nigeria where people no longer consider it important to learn the Historical origin and Development of the Nigerian nation, the book has been introduced at the right time. Nigeria is amulti-ethnic society with 372 ethnic groups (Otite 1990) each with its own culture, values, norms and mores which cannot be erased.

The authors of the book have taken time to give an historical focus to the tertiary institutional studies. They delved into the past, beginning with man in Africa (Australopithecine), the pre-colonial culture of the peoples of Nigeria; the constitutional development, the Nigerian civil war and post Nigerian civil war era.

The book is tailored towards National Universities Commission (NUC) general studies programmes meant to inculcate the right orientation for present and future youths of tertiary institution in Nigeria. This was the same focus of the Nigerian leaders in 1973 when National Youth Service Corp was introduced by the former Head of state, General Yakubu Gowon with the sole aim of making Nigerian Youths leaving tertiary Institutions to undertake one-year compulsory Nation service outside their state of origin inorder for them to have a working and intimate knowledge of their country.

I know that many other tertiary institutions will adopt this textbook because of its cultural richness. Other Nigerians apart from students of tertiary institutions are encouraged to read the textbook because it has the rich historical topics to ‘fine' one's cognitive ability towards understanding and loving Nigerian Cultural heritage.

Thank you,

Innocent V. O Modo (PhD)
( Adjunct Professor of Anthropology)
Department of Sociology and Anthropology,
Akwa Ibom State University,
Former Dean,
Faculty of Social Sciences,
University of Uyo, Nigeria .