Association seeks evaluation of 3,000 recovered artifacts, relics
NAN-ELS-3
Museum
Abuja, Jan.17, 2018 (NAN) Mr George Agbo, the National President of Artifacts Rescuers Association of Nigeria (ARAN) has appealed to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), to evaluate more than 3,000 artifacts and relics recovered across the country.
Agbo made the appealed in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said it was regrettable that the commission had not carried out assessment and evaluation of artifacts, relics and others objects recovered by association for eight years.
“From our five assessment centres, Lagos, Jos, Benin, Ibadan and Enugu, we are have over 3,000 that have been rescued and submitted to the museum in the last eight years.
“In the last eight years, NCMM has never done any assessment; in fact, all through the period of the immediate past Director-General, Abdallah Yusuf, assessment was never done.
“That is why we have high numbers of objects piled up in the museums waiting for assessment, but we believe that the current Acting Director-General, Mr Emeka Onuegbu would do the needful.
“We know him as somebody with high integrity that can take museum to the next level; he performed exceptionally well as the Director of Administration and Supplies in the commission,’’ he said.
The ARAN president stressed that Onuegbu had what it takes to take tourism, museums and national monuments to the next level in the country.
He also called on the acting DG to look into the welfare of workers at the museums and monuments.
According to him, if they are properly treated, they would put in extra effort to take museum to where it should be.
“I trust that he as a good administrator can do that because we have seen his pedigree from his past services to the commission.
“And again, let him ensure that assessment and evaluation of the rescued items we submitted are carried out and compensation paid to everybody who has submitted items.
“This is because we use our personal money in the name of patriotism to rescue all these things and we are waiting that we recover our money back even if we do not have profit on them.
“We need to be encouraged, because the world now is turning towards tourism and the museum; the first point of call for tourist is the museum.
“The tourist will want to see the history and works of the people; we believe that the present leadership in the commission can do it.’’ Agbo said. (NAN)
CMY/EAL/EAL
======
Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi