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The event, organized by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, NCMM, was held under the theme, `\u201cMuseums: Uniting a Divided World.\u201d<\/tt>`<\/p>\n
The Director-General of NCMM, Mr. Olugbile Holloway, described museums as vital institutions that foster dialogue, understanding and reconciliation in an increasingly divided world.<\/p>\n
He said museums are more than repositories of artefacts, noting that they provide safe spaces where citizens can reflect on the past and strengthen national cohesion.<\/p>\n
Holloway called on governments, traditional institutions, private organisations and communities to collaborate in protecting monuments and archaeological sites from vandalism, environmental degradation and uncontrolled urban development.<\/p>\n
He added that preserving cultural heritage strengthens national identity and also promotes tourism, education, research and sustainable economic development.<\/p>\n
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Sen. Mohammed Onawo stated that museums serve as critical sources of information.<\/p>\n
According to him, every society has its culture, but many young people today do not know them. He cited examples such as gongs and tribal marks which depict origin.`<\/p>\n
He commended the Director-General for efforts being made to put Nigeria on the track of history and pledged the National Assembly\u2019s support to the Commission\u2019s efforts.`<\/p>\n
In a related message, the Defence Ministry said museums can serve as strategic tools in the fight against extremism, misinformation and social division.<\/p>\n
Representing the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd), his Senior Special Assistant on Security and Defence, Mr. Mustapha Isah, said museums are no longer just historical repositories but institutions for promoting peace, national security and social cohesion.<\/p>\n
According to him, young people who understand their history and cultural heritage are less vulnerable to extremism and hate-driven narratives.<\/p>\n
The Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, NTDA, Mr. Olayiwola Awakan, said museums are critical drivers of tourism and economic diversification.<\/p>\n
He announced plans including a National Heritage Tourism Strategy, deployment of smart digital museum technologies, establishment of museum interpretation centres and a national museum tourism marketing campaign.<\/p>\n
Awakan cited the transformation of the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History in Lagos as a model for heritage conservation and tourism development.<\/p>\n
Speakers at the event unanimously agreed that museums and monuments are indispensable for preserving collective memory, promoting dialogue and supporting sustainable development.<\/p>\n
They called on Nigerians to celebrate the country\u2019s cultural diversity, reject division and work together to preserve the nation\u2019s heritage in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu\u2019s Renewed Hope Agenda.<\/p>\n
The celebration featured cultural displays and performances, and brought together government officials, lawmakers, museum professionals, development partners and cultural stakeholders<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Buy Nigeria, Promote Nigeria: FG Charges Citizens to Preserve Culture for Posterity The Federal Government has charged Nigerians to take pride in the country\u2019s cultural identity by preserving heritage institutions and promoting made-in-Nigeria products as a way of securing the nation\u2019s future. Speaking at the 2026 International Museum Day celebration in Abuja, the representative of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":151534,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[3216,3218,100,3217],"class_list":["post-151527","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-others","tag-2026-international-museum-day-celebration","tag-culture-for-posterity","tag-fg","tag-mr-olugbile-holloway"],"yoast_head":"\n