Tourism
PRINCE Sikiru Adedoyin, the Curator of the National Museum of Unity, Ibadan, says that there is a need for increased budgetary allocation and funding for museums in the country.
Adedoyin told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Ibadan that the development of investors’ friendly policy on culture and heritage will go a long way to help museums achieve their goals in the country.
He said that active community participation and stakeholders’ involvement would also help to ensure collective ownership of museums and propel their acceptance, development, protection, and promotion.
“There is no doubt that our country is facing many challenges coupled with the adverse effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the socio-economic lives of its people.
“However, museums are now being repositioned to unearth and utilize our cultural diversity for the socio-economic benefit of the people and the nation in general.
“Museums are beginning to engage in collaboration and partnership with the private sectors, NGOs, and other government agencies in the research, conservation, development, and promotion of our cultural resources.
“This will bring about revenue generation and make the country a tourist delight,” he said.
The curator said that the International Museum Day marked on May 18, was a global event set aside to raise awareness on the important role museums to play in the development of society.
He said that the event comes up yearly with topical and contemporary issues that could be collectively addressed to advance the activities of the museum as an institution.
“This year’s theme; “The future of museums: Recover and Reimagine’’ is basically for heritage institutions and practitioners.
“It’s to create, imagine and share new practices of (co-)creation of value, new business models for cultural institutions, and innovative solutions for social, economic, and environmental challenges.
“One of the major areas of interest this year is increased focus on digitization and the creation of new forms of cultural experience and dissemination.
“The future of Nigeria’s museums is bright, apart from establishing more museums, private museums are seriously springing up.
“Also, people especially the local communities and the young ones in the primary and secondary schools are beginning to appreciate activities of the museum as a veritable institution for social reconstruction,” he said.
Adedoyin said that the National Museum of Unity was ready to collaborate with the government, relevant agencies, and other stakeholders to develop and attract more investors.
He, therefore, urged well-meaning Nigerians and all other stakeholders to assist the museum in achieving it goal. (NAN)
– May 20, 2021 @ 11:12 GMT
Tags: Curator canvasses increased budgetary allocation for museums’ development
