The National Museum, Onikan was the host for this year’s International Museum Day. The event put together by National Commission for Museums and Monuments had as its theme: Museums for Education and Research.
The objective of International Museum Day is to raise awareness about the fact that museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.
In her welcome address, Mrs. Nkechi Adedeji, curator of The National Museum (representing the Director General of National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Olugbile Holloway), reiterated the transformational power of museums as catalysts for intellectual growth, cultural exchange and social development.
She further assured the public of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments preparedness to herald modernization through digitization of Museum collections and its operations.
“Museums serve as dynamic hubs of education, providing a wealth of resources and opportunities for lifelong learning. From curated exhibitions and interactive displays to educational programs and workshops, museums offer diverse avenues for individuals of all ages to engage with art, culture, history, science, and beyond,” she added.
READ: Africa: Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark International Museum Day 2020
Also, Mrs. Victoria Okoloagu, Assistant Director, Educational Services and Training at National Commission for Museums and Monuments in her keynote speech, spoke about using museums as a learning tool, since its a place of knowledge. She added that compared to their foreign counterparts, the museums in Nigeria are under-utilized. “People often neglect our museums, which is a detriment to Nigeria’s heritage and culture. The museums hold every information about who we are, therefore it should be used to the fullest in terms of research and educational purposes”, she said. She further encouraged the general public to make use the museums.
The colorful event which was well attended also had in attendance, Mrs. Aduke Gomez, former Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babatunde Fashola. As part of activities to celebrate the event, there were performances by Victory Troupe, Wura Samba and some selected schools, who showcased Nigeria’s rich culture. Last year, more than 37,000 museums participated in the event in 158 countries and territories.
