IHS and NCMM Champion Digitisation for Nigeria's Cultural Antiquities
In a significant move to safeguard Nigeria's rich cultural legacy, IHS (Nigeria) Limited and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) have jointly underscored the critical importance of leveraging digitisation technologies. This initiative aims to preserve the nation's invaluable cultural monuments and antiquities for future generations, ensuring their accessibility and protection against deterioration or loss.
Unveiling the Restored National Museum of Lagos
The call for digital preservation was highlighted during the unveiling ceremony of the restored National Museum of Lagos, an event made possible through the generous support of IHS (Nigeria) Limited. This restoration project marks a pivotal step in revitalising Nigeria's cultural infrastructure, with a focus on enhancing public engagement and educational value.
Dapo Otunla, Senior Vice President and Chief Corporate Services Officer of IHS (Nigeria) Limited, elaborated on the digitisation efforts in an interview with journalists. He revealed, "We have initiated the digitisation of approximately 200 artefacts, which are now accessible in our digital museum. Our goal is to expand this collection continuously. The national museum's archive holds a treasure trove of artefacts, and technology serves as the driving force behind this preservation. Visitors to the digital platform can interact with these items virtually, using their cursor to rotate and examine all angles, providing an immersive experience that evolves with technological advancements."
Otunla further emphasized IHS's commitment to promoting sustainability within Nigeria's cultural sector, aligning with broader corporate social responsibility goals.
NCMM's Vision for Cultural Unity and Collaboration
The restoration was themed 'Echoes of the past: A timeline of antiquity in Nigeria,' as articulated by Olugbile Holloway, Director-General of NCMM. He explained that the renovation is designed to reposition the museum, solidifying its value proposition as a national institution. "This gallery offers a chronological journey through Nigeria's antiquities, from ancient Nok artefacts dating back centuries to historic bronze works, all meticulously curated to showcase the depth of our history and artistic ingenuity. As a national museum, it must serve as a unifying force for Nigeria," Holloway stated.
He praised the partnership with IHS as providential, noting, "This collaboration is just the beginning; there is extensive work ahead to further enhance our cultural preservation efforts. We undertake this work to honour our ancestors and ensure a lasting legacy for our children and future generations."
Government Endorsement and Future Prospects
Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, who officially opened the facility, hailed the project as transformative. "What has been achieved here is nearly revolutionary, aligning perfectly with President Bola Tinubu's agenda to promote and encourage Nigeria's cultural antiquities. This initiative sets a precedent for future endeavours in the cultural and creative economy," she remarked.
The combined efforts of IHS and NCMM signal a forward-looking approach to cultural preservation, integrating digital tools to protect and promote Nigeria's heritage. This partnership not only enhances public access but also fosters a deeper appreciation of the nation's historical and artistic contributions on a global scale.
