Understanding museum’s role in fostering national unity

Most countries of the world, particularly the developed countries, place emphasis on their museum, as it helps remind the people, especially the younger generation of their past.

People can go back in time to understand how a country evolved; its cultural values, political system, among others by simply visiting the museum.

In Nigeria, however, a lot needs to be done to sensitise our population on the need to appreciate and value themuseum.

At a time when our younger generation cannot say anything about the country’s founding fathers, or the major tribes, languages, attires, among others, embracing the museum will change all these.

The museum can serve as a recreation centre, as well as a learning centre; during public holidays, schools can organize visits or excursions to the museum, and apart from enjoying themselves, the pupils will learn a lot about their history, culture and other way of life.

Museumexhibits inspire interest in an area of study, item, time period, or an idea, and the experience of visiting a museum can become a meaningful part of one’s identity and contribute to successful social relationships in a manner that material items cannot.

According to Colleen Dilen, a sociologist, museums are examples of informal learning environments, which means they are devoted primarily to informal education — a lifelong process whereby individuals acquire attitudes, values, skills and knowledge from daily experience and the educative influences and resources in his or her environment. Even outside of museums, informal learning plays a pivotal role in how we take in the world around us.

A single visit to a museum can expose visitors to in-depth information on a subject, and the nature of the museum environment is one in which you can spend as much or as little time as you like exploring exhibits. The environment allows one to form unique experiences and take away information that interests one.

Because the museum brings the past to the present, those who visit will understand how far the country has come, particularly during the pre-colonial era.

They will also understand the various tribal wars fought during those times against the British colonialists, and how the leading lights of that period, including Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Tafawa Balewa, Sir Ahmadu Bello, among others, came together to demand for freedom for Nigeria.

During that time, none of our leaders saw themselves from the view-point of their tribes; they saw themselves only as Nigerians.

Therefore, going by the current agitation in parts of the country, the museum can definitely help by taking us back to the past to understand how the country was formed, as well as the vision of the founding fathers.

• Aremu is of the National Museum of Unity, Ibadan, Oyo State.