International Museum Day 2022: NCMM Commemorates Day, China Makes Proposal For Collaboration

Oru Leonard

According to the International Council of Musuem (ICOM), International Museum Day (IMD), was celebrated for the first time 40 years ago. Museums have the power to transform the world around us. As incomparable places of discovery, they teach us about our past and open our minds to new ideas — two essential steps in building a better future.

The objective of International Museum Day (IMD) 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.”

All around the world, more and more museums participate in International Museum Day. Last year, more than 37,000 museums participated in the event in about 158 countries and territories.

In Nigeria the International Museum Day 2022 themed, “The Power of Museums” and “Heritage and Climate”, was elaoborately celebrated by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), through cultural displays, fashion, music and other forms of entertainment.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed, who was represented by Dr. Ifeoma Anyawutaku, his Permanent Secretary said the event aimed to celebrate Museums across the globe and to raise public awareness on the pivotal role played by the protection and sustainability of our heritage Sites for cultural tourism and socio-economic development.

“These Sites are natural, cultural, religious, historical, some are archeological, all depicting unique universal values. Our cultural heritage and Monuments are indeed our identity, they are our pride, our history, roots and cultural manifestations creating strong traditional networks and connecting us to our ancestral source.

“It is therefore our shared responsibility to make every effort to protect them from theft and during conflicts, for the sake of posterity and patrimony. I implore us to harness our individual creative abilities in an effective manner towards the protection and management of our various Sites”, He stated.

The Minister further said that the country cannot afford to underestimate the unfortunate threatening effect posed by climate change on heritage properties and the urgent need to rise to this onerous responsibility, adding  that the government is being proactive in her approach, to ensure the strategic implementation of regulations and guidelines under the 1954 and 1970 UNESCO Conventions.

In his remark, the Director General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Prof. Abba Isa Tijanni said the Commission foresees a future of collaboration where assets of the past will be used to fashion out a new commitment and educate the populace towards sustainable Monuments conservation and Museum practices.

He said the commission is adapting to and mitigating increased climate change through periodic reviews and updates in its strategies to mitigate against any threat to the National Monuments and Sites.

“Given the different impacts of climate change on the declared and proposed National Monuments/ heritage properties, the Commission, in-spite of very limited resources has remained resolute in its task of ensuring that these National Monuments and Sites continue to remain stable in the face of the uncertainties of climate change.

“NCMM partners with International bodies involved in heritage management to infuse the application of modern technology and knowledge in the preparation and implementation of heritage management strategies across Nigeria” he noted.

Speaking Mr. Li Xuda, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy noted that both China and Nigeria are large countries with ancient history and rich culture with a lot of museums, monuments and heritage sites in our two countries.

He made proposals to promote the conservation and development of the museums,

“I’d like to propose as follows:

First, foster stronger cooperation between our museums, and explore the possibility that Nigeria’s national-level museums join the International Alliance of Museums of the Silk Road (IAMS), which was founded on May 18, 2017. It is a non-governmental, non-profit and open international cooperation mechanism and communication platform in the field of museums for countries and regions along the Silk Road. By November 2021, the Alliance has 166 member units, including 55 international organizations and 111 Chinese organizations.

Second, resume mutual visits of museum experts and cultural relics conservation workers as soon as the pandemic situation allows since these visits will definitely strengthen collaboration in related fields.

Third, continue to carry out capacity building programsclosely related to museums, monument and heritage site. I always believe that talented and experienced people are the key guarantee for the development of culture and arts.

Fourth, support heritage cooperation, and explore the possibility of conducting exhibition exchange and joint preservation programs” Xuda stated.

Present at the event were Security Chiefs, sister agencies and Traditional Rulers who also made remarks.