Abuja: The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) West Africa emphasized the importance of preserving Nigeria’s democratic journey through archiving to deepen democracy and provide knowledge for future generations. Dr. Dauda Garuba, Director of CDD West Africa, highlighted this during the ‘Vibes’, Gen Z, and the Future of the Nigerian Left – a Visual Book Launch, Exhibition, and Close-Out of the Archiving the Nigeria Left Project.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, CDD West Africa concluded a long-term project documenting Nigeria’s democratic history, preserving significant milestones, struggles, and reforms. Garuba underscored the initiative’s aim to consolidate historical records into accessible archives to ensure sacrifices made in Nigeria’s democratic journey are not forgotten. He emphasized the role of photographs in preserving historical narratives, noting, “The evidence is in the picture. Every picture carries a message of its own.”
Garuba shared his experience working with Chief Anthony Enahoro’s Movement for National Reformation, expressing appreciation for seeing archived materials, including a proposed constitution developed by the group. He encouraged Nigerians to engage with the publication, describing it as a rich document containing rare and annotated materials gathered through extensive research and documentation.
The event also featured the launch of “Aluta Continua,” a visual book containing iconic posters, letters, and other materials from Nigeria’s radical history. Dr. Sa’eed Hussaini, Lead of the Nigerian Radical History Archive Project at CDD, explained that the initiative began due to concerns over the deteriorating condition of activist Dapo Olaoni’s father’s collections, leading to heritage preservation funding from the French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA).
Hussaini noted that the initiative, renewed in 2024, identified valuable archival materials in personal libraries and institutional repositories across Nigeria for preservation and digitisation. The project adopted a community-based approach by training family members and local volunteers to organise, preserve, and digitise materials without relocating the original collections.
The archives have fostered international partnerships, particularly with South Africa, highlighting Nigeria’s contribution to the anti-apartheid struggle. However, Hussaini identified challenges such as access to politically sensitive materials, preserving the integrity of historical struggles, and dependence on foreign digital servers. He expressed hope that future improvements would strengthen African ownership of digital archives and ensure Nigeria’s democratic history remains preserved.
Mr. Owei Lakemfa, a retired journalist and unionist whose materials were archived, stressed the importance of digitisation in preserving the struggles of past generations for younger Nigerians. He remarked on the significance of historical awareness, stating, “If we know our past, we will know where we are going.”