An educationist, Dr Olugbenro Olubusola Adeniyi on Monday tasked the federal government to improve on the funding of the nation’s museums in order to preserve the country’s culture and her artefacts.
Dr Adeniyi, a lecturer in the Federal College of Education, (Special), Oyo in Oyo State made the call while delivering a lecture titled “Museum for Education and Research” at the International Museum Day Celebration by the National Museum Oyo.
She also tasked the management of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, NCMM, to embark on rigorous training and re-training of staffers of the Commission so as to educate Nigerians and other visitors to their galleries properly.
Dr Adeniyi bemoaned the security architecture around some of Nigeria’s heritage sites calling for a change of attitude to the protection of the nation’s artefacts.
The Guest Speaker also advocated for the digitization of museums nationwide while emphasizing on NCMM partnering other educational and research institutions to enhance the delivery of its mandates.
Dr Adeniyi stressed that Museum is essential to Education and Research since it helps in inter-disciplinary approach to learning and boost heritage education.
Earlier, the Director General of the NCMM, Mr Olugbile Holloway, had implored Nigerians to leverage on the transformative power of museums to educate, inspire, abd empower future generations.
Represented by the Curator of Oyo Museum, Mrs Oyeronke Afolayan, the Director General said this year’s theme of International Museum Day Celebration, “Museums for Education and Research”, resonates deeply with the core mission of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments which is also in tandem with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu in the areas of education and culture and creative economy.
He then called for efforts to make “our museums more inclusive, accessible, and engaging for people of ages and backgrounds.”
Mr Holloway appreciated “all the museum professionals, volunteers and supporters who work tirelessly to preserve our cultural heritage and promote lifelong learning.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the planning committee, Mr Adedayo Adedibu, thanked the management for finding him and the committee members worthy of organizing the event and appreciated greatly all the invited schools and guests who turned up for the museum day celebration.
Highlights of the celebration was cultural dance by learners of Treasure Model School Alagbon, Oyo; Quiz competition on “Onka Yoruba” and folktales featuring the evergreen novel written by D. O. Fagunwa, “Ogbojuode Ninu Igbo Irunmole”.
Every 18th May is a day set aside by the International Council of Museums, (ICOM), to celebrate museums world over as well as create awareness on the preservation and appreciation of the rich cultural and natural heritage of humanity.
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