Professor Samuel Aghalino Delivers the 263rd Inaugural Lecture Titled: “Crude but Sweet: Anatomy of the Devil’s Excreta”
By Muhammad Abdulwahab
On the 15th of August, 2024, the University of Ilorin witnessed the 263rd inaugural lecture titled “Crude but Sweet: Anatomy of the Devil’s Excreta.”
The lecture was delivered by Prof. Samuel Ovuete Aghalino of the Department of History, Faculty of Arts. This significant event took place at the university auditorium, drawing guests and scholars from within and outside the “Better by Far” institution. This inaugural lecture marked a historic moment as it is the third of its kind from the Department of History. The first lecture, titled “The Great Tradition and its Impact on Modern Africa: Archaeological and Historiographical Reflections,” was delivered on the 19th of January, 1984, by Professor Ade Obayemi. The second, titled “The Image of Africa: Rhetoric and Reality of Afro-European Relations,” was delivered by Professor R.O. Lasisi on the 4th of August, 2011. After a long wait of 13 years, the department celebrated its third inaugural lecture by Professor Aghalino.
In his lecture, Professor Aghalino dissected the complex relationship between oil exploration and Nigeria’s economic development. Aghalino’s research, deeply rooted in the history of the Niger Delta, highlighted the region’s central role in Nigeria’s politics and economy, dating back to the pre-colonial era.
Professor Aghalino didn’t shy away from the harsh realities. He noted that while Nigeria’s economy has been heavily reliant on oil revenues, the Niger Delta has borne the brunt of environmental degradation and economic marginalization. “Blood may be thicker than water, but oil is thicker than both,” he asserted a powerful metaphor that captures the sacrifices made in the name of oil. The lecture underscores the need for diversification in Nigeria’s economy.
Aghalino called for the strengthening of regulatory agencies in his recommendations such as the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA). He also advocated for the decriminalization and regulation of indigenous refineries and stressed the importance of redefining property rights and resource ownership in Nigeria.
In his concluding remarks, Professor Aghalino acknowledged the complexities of life, comparing it to a relay race that is both “crude and sweet.” He expressed gratitude to several individuals who have shaped his journey, including his late father, Chief Owhemaluena Single Aghalino Owhoruke, his mother, Mama Omaha Aghalino, and a host of distinguished professors and mentors.
The lecture was attended by a diverse array of guests, including former and present major generals, high chiefs, professors, and students, particularly those from the history department.
