NAN-ELS-7
Artifacts
By Taiye Baiyerohi
Lagos, June15, 2017 (NAN) Some cultural stakeholders on Thursday commended the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) for retrieving most of the repatriated artifacts carted away from the nation’s museums years ago.
They gave their commendations while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Lagos.
NAN reports that the National Commission for Museums and Monuments worked unanimously with the Nigerian Customs Service and the Nigerian Immigration Service to retrieve some of the stolen artifacts from Florida and Boston in the United States and from the Owode border town.
Alhaji Garba Kankarofi, the Chief Executive Officer, Advertising Practitioner Council of Nigeria (APCON), said he was excited to know that the retrieval of the artifacts was a signal that Nigerians were beginning to appreciate their cultural heritages.
“I am quite delighted because of this great achievement and hopeful that more of these artifacts will be retrieved.
“This shows that we appreciate our cultural heritage more, ” he said.
Mr Ade Bakare, a fashion designer, said it was a commendable effort but called for proper maintenance and exhibition of the retrieved artifacts.
“This is quite commendable and I will want the commission to work on displaying the artifacts for Nigerians to see and imbibe proper maintenance culture, ” he said.
In his own words, Mr Biodun Omolayo, Curator, Omolayo Arts Gallery, said that it was disheartening for him each time he visited the British Museum which housed most of Nigerian artifacts to see them there.
“I am really excited to see most of our artifacts brought back for us and you know these things are our treasure, a man’s heart resides only where his treasures are.
“Since we have them here now, our domestic tourism will enjoy a boost as most Nigerians will be eager to visit the National Museum, ” he said.
Prof. Folarin Shyllon appreciated the management of the commission and called for proper documentation of the retrieved artifacts.
He urged the commission to woo students and parents to visit the museum, most especially, now that some artifacts had been retrieved.
“The commission should ensure that students and parents visit the museum frequently to tap from the huge cultural knowledge it houses, ” he said.
Mrs Annette Ibe, the Deputy Director, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, South West zone, said that the retrieval of the artifacts was a dream comes through.
She said that this signified a season of cultural reawakening in every Nigerian and at all level of government because it had been the collective effort of everyone. (NAN)
PTB/PAD
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Edited by Peter Dada