The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington has stated that his country will partner with Nigeria on preservation of its rich cultural artefacts and indigenous languages that are on the verge of extinction.
Mr. Symington who stated this at the weekend during a workshop organised by National Commission for Museum and Monuments, Nigeria, funded by U.S Ambassador’s fund for Cultural Preservation, held at the Jos Museum, Plateau State, said United States of America has returned all the artefacts of Nigeria in their possession for proper storage and preservation.
The Ambassador who was represented by the Councillor for Public Affairs, U.S Embassy, Aruna Amirthanayagam, added that his country is embarking on this to preserve Nigeria artefacts and other historical facts.
“The United State is going to partner with Nigeria in the preservation of the most important collections and artefacts in the country so that the culture and identity of the people will not go into extinction.”
He further advised that all artefacts that portrays the image and identity of Nigeria should be properly store and protected from destruction.
However, Director General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments Nigeria, Dr. Yusuf Abdallah Usman, said the Federal Government has prioritised the preservation of important collections in the country which has significantly grow in number in the last 30 years.
According to him, Jos Museum which is the oldest in Nigeria, has 22,000 objects in storage, out of which are 4,000 objects that includes exceptional of Nok figures which are currently overcrowding the storage rooms and require proper space.
Usman said the theme of the workshop, “RE-ORG Nigeria closing and Exhibiting Launch” is apt, adding that efforts is on to ensure collection, planning and visualizing floor plans and making the required changes for a long term preservation and access of the collection.
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