The Director-General, National Commission for Museum and Monuments (NCMM), Prof. Abba Tijani, has called on government and stakeholders to partner with the commission in developing the country’s museums.
Tijani made the call when he visited the National Museum of Unity, Ibadan, on Tuesday.
He said in spite of the number of museums and monuments in the country, the commission in charge of them was grossly underfunded.
The director-general underscored the need to involve all stakeholders, including traditional rulers, in the development of museums so as to preserve and showcase the richness of Nigeria’s culture.
He said that the commission would collaborate with stakeholders, including the private sector, to display cultural collections and enlighten people on the importance of preserving their culture and cultural heritage.
Tijani urged local communities to continue to promote their culture and traditions by organising cultural festivals.
He also enjoined NCMM staff members to work together in unity so as to make more progress and achieve the goals for which the commission was established.
“We must understand our goal and make it our priority to educate people about the richness of their culture and the need to value it.
“All staff members should support their curators so as to achieve this goal. On our part, we will do everything possible to improve your welfare and pay the salaries of those who are still being owed.
“We will also try to create more departments in the commission to aid the promotion of our activities, while there will also be infrastructural developments, among other welfare packages,” he said.
Earlier, the Curator, National Museum of Unity, Ibadan, Mrs Comfort Akinmeji, said that the museum offered a complex collection of artifacts and facilities for the purpose of unity in Nigeria.
“The museum comprises library, storage facilities for objects, craft centre, museum kitchen, commemorative trees as well as permanent and temporary exhibition galleries, among others.
“All these, put together, have made this museum a tourist centre per excellence,” she said.
Akinmeji, who presented the museum’s new publication, titled: ‘Museum Work Manual’ to the director-general, urged him to recommend it to other museum stations and professionals in the country.
She pledged the cooperation and support of the management and staff members of the museum to the commission’s new management in a bid to birth a new enviable museum system in the country.
“We appreciate your being a proponent of staff welfare as well as believing in the dignity of labour.
“Your visit today is a demonstration of your kind leadership, academic mettle and concern for humanity through stability,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the occasion was the tour of the museum galleries by the new director-general and entourage. (NAN)