Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

Our attention has been drawn to the article titled: Museums at 70: Whither the museum service in Nigeria, written by one Sir Martins O. Akanbiemu, a former staff member of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments  (NCMM), now a Resident Curator with the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.

The writer apparently has some issues to settle with the Commission, being its former employee, but his choice of style, that seeks to misinform gullible readers and discredit some hardworking citizens who rendered selfless service to this nation, is an unfortunate disservice. It is quite surprising that a former staff member can condemn everyone, including himself.

The NCMM chose to kick-start activities marking the 70th Anniversary of museum development in Nigeria from Esie, being the first museum in Nigeria. Established in 1945, it houses soap stones accidentally discovered at the site where the museum was built. Towards the end of 1965, Mr. Lyckzowski designed a new  museum complex for Esie and by mid-1966, the first three structures – The Gallery, Store and the Altar were completed while the fourth structure was completed over the next three years.

In 2012, an office building and a modern gallery where a permanent exhibition titled: “Indigenous artworks as indicators of cultural harmony”, was inaugurated to complement the existing one. The new exhibition contains exquisite artworks from all over the country. The gallery also hosts other temporary exhibitions: “Pre and royal activities of Egunjobi, II” and “Peace begins with me” (Children’s painting exhibition).

Esie Museum stands as one of our pivotal flagship museum with a unique assemblage of over 400 Soap Stone figures not found anywhere in the world, with a display of exquisite pieces of artworks from various art traditions across the country. In line with the new ideology in the commission of Public -Private Partnerships (PPP), the cost of the celebrations was covered by funds raised through sponsorship drive anchored by skills and schemes consultants.

In its 70 years history, the Commission has had 11, chief executive officers; two on acting capacities and one a sole administrator. Among them, Prof. Ekpo Eyo served from 1979-1986 as Director-General. No doubt,Eyo was a fantastic archaeologist and museum administrator who contributed greatly to the development of museum movement in Nigeria when he served as a curator, Director of Antiquity and finally DG.

But Eyo built on a foundation laid by others, such as K.C. Murray, Bernard Fagg and D.C. Dukeworth, Liman Ciroma, Subery Biobak and other dedicated professionals. Looking at the development of museums after Eyo, it is somehow mischievous for anyone to assert that nothing has been achieved after his exit.

From 20 museums in 1990, the Commission supervises 48 national museums spread across the country. Museum is widely appreciated and embraced that there are more than 20 privately owned museums, including those owned by some states and local governments. From 53 national monuments and sites we  have 67 scheduled monuments and sites with 100 more selected and documented awaiting Presidential approval. Two of these sites have been adopted by United Nations Educational Secientific, Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as World Heritage, that is, Sukur Cultural Landscape (1999) and Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove (2005).

More archaeological sites have been opened up across the country with outstanding discoveries, such as the Dufuna Canoe, which has stretched the depth of our history for over 4,000 years. To present results, new journals have been introduced – Nigerian Heritage (1999), Museum Digest (2013) International Museum and Monument Days (2014), NCMM monthly news bulletin (2010) with other publications.

After 2000 years of Nigerian art, which toured the world in the 80s, the commission had organised internationally acclaimed exhibitions, Dynasty and Divinity: Ancient Art of Ife, African Lace. The commission in the last 70 years, as I said earlier, has had 11 director-generals, who made significant strides in their tenure to ensure that the NCMM is improved over time, as museums the world over had evolved from a mere house of cultural collections to much more. Highlights of significant achievements made by various director-generals of the commission are thus listed but not limited to:

 

K.C Murray

 

 Organised exhibitions in Britain to publish Nigerian artifacts, agitated for the establishment of museums in Nigeria and was instrumental in the opening of many museums in the country. He advocated a legislation to protect Nigerian cultural Heritage, collected 600 pieces of cultural objects and assisted the people to know their significance. He encouraged Nigerians not to give away cultural objects as he located, photographed and catalogued them. Murray was also instrumental in documenting archival materials in several fields, including basketry, dying, pottery body painting, weapons, musical instruments, mat making, glass and beads weaving.

 

Bernard Fagg

 

 Chief, among the achievements of Bernard Fagg, was the opening of the Jos museum, which he built using direct labour in April 1952. He discovered and identified NOK terracotta works and is well known as the writer of “Nok Terracottas”. Si Fag followed his discoveries with scholarly and scientific publications, which threw a new light on the understanding of man and his activities in Northern Nigeria before European contact.

 

Prof. Ekpo Eyo

 

 A publisher of several books, Prof. Ekpo Eyo initiated the retrieval of Nigerian objects, directed archaeological field work in Rop, Ile Ife, Owo, Ikom and Calabar. He established museums across the country with craft villages and museum kitchen, initiated internship programs for staff, organised a travelling exhibition titled: “Treasures of ancient Nigeria”, which toured the world while also serving as vice president of the Advisory Council of the International Council of Museums (ICOM).

 

Prof Ade Obayemi

 

 Established Owo and Osogbo museums, continued the construction of Unity museums in Ibadan and Enugu. He upgraded the National War Museum in Umuahia, acquired ethnographic and archaeological objects through research.

 

Dr. Yaro Gella

 

 Relocated NCMM headquarters from Lagos to Abuja in January 1997, acquired objects for the commission through purchase, retrievals, and seizures, laid the foundation of the boundary wall of Osun Osogbo Grove on November 27, 1997. He won for Nigeria her first world Heritage site, Sukur Cultural landscape and initiated the Nigeria Heritage journal. Gella hosted the exhibition “Valley of the Niger”, which brought together artifacts from West African countries that River Niger flows through. With the assistance of the West African Museums Project (WAMP), he built a museum kitchen in Uyo museum, renovated galleries sites and expanded the Lagos museum kitchen.

 

Dr. Eluyemi Omotoso

 

 Encouraged self-improvement and regular promotion, won Osun Osogbo Grove for Nigeria as a World Heritage Site, thus giving Nigeria, a World Heritage status.Initiated the exhibition titled: Dynasty and divinity: Ife arts in ancient Nigeria” and was instrumental to artifacts retrieval from Switzerland and South Africa.

 

Dr. Joseph Eboriem

 

 Initiated Eco museums of healing and reconciliation in Koko, Delta State to foster peace, sense of unity and purpose among citizens of Nigeria with particular reference to the Niger Delta region, he secured Nigeria’s membership of the World Heritage Committee. Eborieme was also the initiator and co-ordinator of UNESCO consultant on Heritage Conservation for Sustainable Tourism and also encouraged self-improvement and regular promotion, local and international training of staff.

 

Mallam Yusuf Abdallah Usman

 

 Publisher of five books Mallam Abdallah-initiated NCMM Digest, International Museums Day and Monuments Day Journals, News Bulletin. He has been instrumental to the retrieval of cultural objects from abroad, training of Staff locally and internationally, hosting of local and international exhibitions namely: African Lace: A history of trade creativity and fashion and Dynasty and Divinity: Ife arts in ancient Nigeria; Hairstyles in Nigeria Culture (Washington D.C 2014); the Durbi Takusheyi of Katsina ( University of Frankfurt, Germany)                                                                                                                                                                                      ;Nok exhibition in Germany-October 30, 2013                                                                                                                                                               and participated in exhibition on Bronze by Royal Academy of Art London September 5 -December 9, 2012

Mallam Abdallah is also very active in acquisition of objects through seizures and purchases, and it is also on record, that he paid over N100 million to artefact vendors for debts owed them almost a decade ago. Well-versed in collaborative support from foreign institutions and has held several press briefings for the movement of Nigerian museum collections. Very resourceful in collaboration as seen with the British Museum, Ford Foundation, China Cultural Development, Romanise Germanisches Zentral Museum, Goethe University of Frankfurt and many State governments. The director-general has also been working hard to retrieve cultural objects illegally exported from the country and as a result hundreds of such objects have been repatriated from the United States and Europe. He initiated and put up a Repatriations Unit and M. I. S. Unit in the commission.

Having highlighted the achievements of various director-generals of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) from inception, it is, therefore, absolutely incorrect, misleading and, in fact, mischievous for the writer to conclude that the museum institution, despite all these numerous verifiable is in decadence due to “ignorant” and “inexperienced” leadership.

So, I will suggest, that Mr. Akanbiemu channel his energy into more productive and constructive ventures like collaborating with relevant cultural institutions, the museums and other such affiliated organisations to better the lot of the culture and tourism sector to ensure it takes its rightful pride of place in our national discourse.

When he feels the need to critique constructively and objectively by proffering meaningful solutions to issues instead of mischievous claims and casting aspersions unjustifiably on hardworking and dedicated individuals that served Nigeria diligently and meritoriously, our doors are open to him.

 

• Enem is Public Relations Officer, National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Abuja.

Retired Justice Sydney Adeyemo Afonja belongs to a class of eminent jurists. He was born 75 years ago to the royal family of Agunloye/ Alowolodu in the ancient Oyo town of Oyo, but he grew up in Akure. The judge, who has a Bachelor’s in Economics and Master’s in Law, retired degree as the Chief Judge of former Ondo State, before the creation of Ekiti State.

While in service, he was also Deputy Director of Public Prosecution in the Defunct Western Region, and pioneer Director Public Prosecution and Solicitor-General in the former Ondo State Ministry of Justice.

Justice Afonja  established the Ministry of Justice, was Lecturer at the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos, and Chairman, Armed Robbery Tribunal in the State, and Conference of Chairmen of Armed Robbery Tribunals Nationwide between 1986 and 1994.

Deputy Chancellor, Anglican Diocese of Ibadan, Chancellor, Anglican Diocese of Oyo, and member of the Standing Committee at the General Synod of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the eminent jurist, who is widely travelled, was recently honoured in Oyo town as an incorruptible judge by a group known as Youth Alliance Movement of Nigeria. The  event also featured a lecture titled: Re-inventing Nigeria for the challenges of the 21st century.

In his lecture, a World Bank Consultant and don at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Prof Julius Ipadeola Olaifa, urged the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to, as a matter of priority, re-appraise its political education programme to ensure that every citizen cultivate those attributes and values that ensure the ills of society are kept at bay through personal and moral vigilance.

Olaifa said such steps would not only allow reformation of every citizen’s mental model, which dictates a unique and progressive way of perceiving past, present and future leaders, but create a modicum of trust that will establish symbiotic relationship between the individual rights and the community interests.

‘’Socio-economic problems keep on multiplying at a terrific rate. People simply are sad and hungry. Schools keep on producing graduates yearly without attendant job opportunities. Cases of robbery, kinapping and other heinous crimes, have become our national anthem. There is tremendous increase in the cases of sickness, insanity, hopelessness and insanity. Sanctity is no longer accorded human life.’’ He lamented that in all facets of the country, there is much motion but less speed.

“There is much speed but less development, more has been worse speed and there are inestimable resources but more misery. There is much money but less satisfactory living among the citizenry befitting human beings. There is much religion but less godliness and morality, while there is much armoury and less security.”

Olaifa, former dean, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, noted  that the country is in dire need of leadership that is pragmatic, fearless, sincere and large-hearted to be able to understand the demands of national development and in particular clear-cut action policy for the youth.

While commending the administration for its unalloyed determination in sanitising the country and putting an end to insurgency, the don called for a sense of trust and shared destiny among citizens, in order for the re-invention to happen in the views, perspectives, stereotypes and actions that have combined or deny the people the greatness that is their undeniable destiny.

In his welcome address, Oyo State Chairman of the youth movement, Mr. Olatunji  Olalekan, said the  the programme was part of its contributions towards transforming the country for the good of all. Justice Afonja said the Judiciary cannot be compared with  it is in the past, adding: “Quite a number of the Judges are not really committed to and attach utmost importance to integrity.’’

He continued:  ”It is, indeed, disheartening to note how some judges allowed their reputation to be soiled, due to materialistic desire. What is more, some judges work only twice a week before terminal review. Why should that happened. It is a great disservice to the rule of law”.

He said as Chief Judge, dereliction of duty among the Judges or Magistrates was not in courts.

“I must confess, am disturbed to hear of cases pending in courts for as long as six months, or one year or more, while the DPP too find it difficult to analyse the facts and evidences with applicable laws, thereby denying the accused persons or suspects the much-needed justice. It is really unfortunate,” he said.

While berating the criminal justice administration, the jurist blamed the Ministry of Justice for the long delays of case files of those awaiting trials. To this end, Justice Afonja suggested that retired judges, chief magistrates, senior lawyers should be contracted for writing legal pieces of advice on pending cases in courts.

”That is the only way out for now. Imagine a suspect being remanded in prison for years while the trial Judge his awaiting legal advise on the offences allegedly committed. Besides the fact that it infringes on

the fundamental rights of the suspects yet to be presumed guilty, no laws give room for punishing suspects unjustly without proper trial”

The legal icon hinted that unlike now that attractive remunerations were being paid judges, he retired as a Chief Judge of Ondo State on yearly salary of N58,000, which is N8,300 monthly.

On his lifestyle, Justice Afonja, who said he was brought up by parents who were teachers and disciplinarians, said: “When I was young, my father showed me some verses in the Bible, which taught about honesty as the only guiding principle that could bring a person up. That permeated me throughout my struggle in life. I have self-satisfaction and no ambition ever tickles my fancy.”

On life after retirement, the jurist said apart from his law firm, he also writes books on security matters and traffic regulations, which are useful to both the security agencies and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).