NAN-H-69
Museums
By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Abuja, July 27, 2017 (NAN) The Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, (NCMM) Malam Yusuf Usman, has said that museums across the country lack adequate space for display of artifacts.
He made the statement in Thursday in Abuja after being conferred with fellowship award of the Institute for Tourism Practitioners.
“We have over 48 National Museums and 67 National Monuments; within these museums, there are over 100,000 artifacts showing various traditions in Nigeria from the NOK Terracotta to many others.
“We have thousands of works in our museums, but unfortunately because of lack of space, we are not able to display all the artifacts.
“One of the major constraints (of inadequate space) is the capacity to utilise these materials to tell stories about Nigeria and to display them for the enjoyment and beautification of Nigeria.
“However, as the world keeps changing, there is also need to flow with the change; some of these artifacts need to be displayed in a modern and interactive way,’’ Usman said.
The D-G said that the management of NCMM plans to refocus the organization to serve as tourist and educational resource centre.
While expressing appreciation for the award, Usman pledged that the commission would collaborate with the institute to boost tourism in Nigeria.
“I am happy that IPT has chosen to honour this institution; it has given us a place of pride in the promotion and development of tourism.
Speaking earlier, the National President of ITP, Chief Abiodu Odusanwo, said that Usman was bestowed with the award for his efforts to reach out to other sectors of tourism and monuments.
“The fellowship of the institute is the highest grade reserved for captains of industries and Chief Executive Officers of notable organisations as decided by the governing board of the institute.’’
He advocated the establishment of National Museum in the Federal Capital Territory to be stocked with collection of artifacts that reflects the uniqueness of the country and diversity of the culture of its citizens. (NAN)
CMY/AEA
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