Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Re: Sad News, and Our Joint Collective Efforts

What a great suggestion, Dr. Wariboko. You've given strength to the Yoruba saying that "Ile Oba t'o jo, ewa l'o bu kun un," meaning that a burnt palace often gives birth to a better one. But there is a small problem here: We have not ascertained what brought about the source of the demise of the library. If the burning down came as an accident, this should call for an instant action akin to the one you and a few others have advanced here. If, however, this was an arson, until the arsonist/s is/are apprehended and brought to justice, and his/her/their motive/sponsor/s is/are revealed, building a new one may be tantamount to rehastily building a burnt palace without knowing why it got burn in the first instance. If it were the work of an arsonist, for example, shouldn't it be prudent to ask who the arsonist is and if they still live under the roof - a prince, a princess, the king, the chief/s s citizen outside the palace or an outsider altogether. My suggestion is that there be an official investigation of the matter before a solution is proffered.

Just my own thnking . . .

MOA 

On Monday, October 10, 2016 1:38 PM, Nimi Wariboko <nimiwari@msn.com> wrote:

Dear Prof. Falola:

Sad news, but something can be done. The first thing is to publish or provide the list of the burnt books/journals and some of us can find replacement copies (and e-journals and e-books) for the university. Second, figure out how much it will cost to replace the books/other holdings and ask people to donate towards the amount. Third, donation of new books/relevant materials/electronic additions or money that will improve upon the lost collections. Fourth, the logistics of doing #1-3 in an adequate and honest way, with accountability. Finally, mobilize Unijos alums to step forward and play a lead role in turning this tragedy into a project of library development.

Thanks.

Nimi Wariboko

Walter G. Muelder Professor of Social Ethics

Boston University, USA

On Oct 10, 2016, at 1:11 PM, Toyin Falola <toyinfalola@austin.utexas.edu> wrote:

I bring sad news

The library of the University of Jos was burned to the ground yesterday, with all the holdings for the Faculties of Arts,  Social and Management Sciences,  Education,  and the Department of Geology and Mining. Two photos attached. Not a single book was recovered. The fire incident is being investigated at this time.

The important thing for you and I is to give our support for the university to rebuild.

This is a major disaster.

Toyin Falola

Department of History

The University of Texas at Austin

104 Inner Campus Drive

Austin, TX 78712-0220

USA

512 475 7224

512 475 7222 (fax)

http://sites.utexas.edu/yoruba-studies-review/

http://www.toyinfalola.com 

http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa  

http://groups.google.com/group/yorubaaffairs 

http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue   

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