FW: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Falola, The Great/ Modified

Thank you, Professor Oyeniyi, for this eloquent summary.
I also extend my congratiulations to Prof. Toyin Falola and his wife,
Chief, Dr. Bisi Falola who have been invested with traditional Chieftaincy
titles in Ibadan, by his Royal Highness, the Olubadan of Ibadan.

I recall that one of the earliest historical writings by Falola was
entitled The Political Economy of a pre-Colonial State: Ibadan 1830 -1900.
University of Ife, 1982.

It was the first text of its kind to focus on the indigenous African economy, and
broke with colonial and eurocentric historiography, challenging erroneous
assumptions and claims. See p.202. The text concludes with these
comments that are still of relevance:

It is an awareness and recognition of the capability of every society to
transform itself that is offered here as a lesson for the underdeveloped
countries. .......It is in their subordination to to the political and economic
institutions of the capitalist world and not in population growth, inertia and
traditionalism that the fundamental cause of underdevelopment reside.




Professor Gloria Emeagwali
africahistory.net
vimeo.com/user5946750/videos
Documentaries on Africa and the African Diaspora


________________________________
From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of adeyemi bukola oyeniyi [oyeniyib@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2014 2:24 PM
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com; Yoruba Affairs
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Falola, The Great


Falola, The Great



Today, the evergreen statement of William Shakespeare on greatness reinvented itself, as the Olubadan of Ibadanland invested Professor Toyin Falola and Dr. (Mrs.) Bisi Falola as Bobapitan and Yeye Bobapitan of Ibadanland. Professor Toyin Falola, born in Ibadan over sixty years ago, rose from relative obscurity to limelight by sheer enterprise and rugged determination, which saw him meandering through life from Ode-Aje and Molusi College to Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Texas at Austin.

As William Shakespeare<http://quotationsbook.com/quotes/author/6633/> brilliantly warned: "Be not afraid of greatness; some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them". Unlike many, Professor and Dr. Toyin and Bisi Falola were not born into any affluence or politically notable families. Toyin Falola was the son of an ordinary tailor. He dropped out of school when his father died. Besides completing his elementary school, he had just a few years of secondary education before gaining admission into the university. He entered the Obafemi Awolowo University, where he later worked and became a professor. It was from Ife that he joined the University of Austin at Texas.

Undoubtedly, Professor Falola earned and achieved greatness. He has authored, co-authored, edited and co-edited more than 150 books on Black History, African-American History, and Diaspora Studies.

Today, I join millions of admirers and well-wishers to congratulate Professor and Chief Toyin Falola and Dr. and Chief Mrs. Bisi Falola for this feat. As the Holy Bible puts it: "sound of joy shall not depart from the abode of the faithful".



Congratulations, oga.

Bukola Adeyemi Oyeniyi
Department of History
Strong Building, Room 440,
Tel: 417-836-6959
Mobile: (+1) 832-211-8921
Missouri State University
901 S. National Ave.
Springfield, MO 65897





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