By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan
In celebration of 2022 International Museum Day (IMD), the National Museum of Unity, Ibadan, on Wednesday granted free gallery tour of the museum to the public.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the gallery which houses different ethnic cultural artefacts, which people pay to gain access to, was open for all, including children.
The Museum Curator, Mr Sikiru Adedoyin, said during the celebration that the aim was to appreciate the country’s huge collections.
According to him, the museum’s exhibition had the the theme: ‘Our Cultural Heritage in Retrospect’.
Adedoyin said that as a unity museum, its exhibition showcased aspects of ancient Nigerian culture, means of exchange, Nigerian without border, pottery gallery, indigenous technology and royalty.
“This is to demonstrate that museum exists for the purpose of man and his environment; therefore, man must join hands to preserve, protect what connects us to the past, present and future of our cultural heritage.
“According to Carter Godwin Woodman, those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished, lose inspiration which comes from teaching of biography and history of our society and its continuity,” he said.
He remarked that museums could make positive influence on the continuity of humanity through promotion of understanding, cooperation and peace among people for community development.
The keynote speaker and Professor of History at the University of Ibadan, Rasheed Olaniyi, said that Nigeria had a rich cultural heritage which could be harnessed.
Olaniyi said that museums held much power in national life, cultural intelligence and social regeneration.
The don emphasised that museums deserved more attention from the governments, communities, civil society organisations and development partners.
“We can no longer undermine or ignore the powers of museums in bringing history to life.
“Fresh insights, perspectives offered by museums will help the public re-establish common ground and learn to build bridges rather than breed divisions, which inhibited national cohesion.
“Museums become major platforms when they magnify civic discourse, accelerate cultural change and contribute to cultural intelligence.
“This can promote civic-oriented leadership and followership for good governance; cultural intelligence can help in the fight against terrorism, banditry and corruption,” he said.
The Chairman of the occasion and cultural artist, Prince Tunde Odunlade, said that through museums, the country would create tourists’ haven and huge foreign exchange earnings.
Odunlade, the Founder of Tunde Odunlade Arts Culture Connexions, Ibadan, urged people to disabuse their minds about any wrong notion of what museum was all about.
“A museum is a place of archival centre, where people can, at a glance, learn about who they are, why they are, where they are, and ultimately, where they are heading.
“A museum is what you must adopt and volunteer to serve as docents which is what obtains in civilised societies,” he said.
The highpoints of the event included presentation of awards to deserving persons, cultural quiz and cultural performances.
NAN reports that IMD is celebrated on May 18, annually.
The 2022 celebration had the theme: “The Power of Museums”.
(NAN)
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