Reaping the gains of museums, tourism

How Nigeria can best benefit from the symbiotic relationship between museum and tourism took centre stage at the 2009 International Museum Day held on Monday, May 18 at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos.

"Heritage and culture motivate people to move to seek more information about themselves and others. Museums and cultural heritage sites are, therefore, in many instances, the main reason for selection of destinations by tourists and thus play a critical role in attracting tourists to countries", said Ekanem Ikpi Braide, a professor of parasitology in a lecture delivered at the occasion.

Mrs. Braide's lecture was on the theme of the celebration, ‘Museums and Tourism.' Having earlier distinguished between museums and tourism, their reciprocity on each other and the museums and tourist sites in Nigeria, Mrs. Braide highlighted Nigeria's efforts at developing the tourism sector in order to diversify its revenue sources.

She however noted that in its quest to attain sustainable tourism which refers to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems, Nigerians needed to be aware of heritage as a prerequisite for sustainable tourism.

To create awareness about heritage in Nigeria, Mrs. Braide recommended among others that there should be appropriate courses in school curricula at all levels; provision of heritage related information in the print and electronic media and through traditional and non formal channels; communities members should be familiar with the information provided by museums within their vicinity; communities should be encouraged to participate in the tourism industry as partners and adequate funding of museums "until the reciprocal impacts museums and tourism have on each other, result in significant social, cultural and economic benefits for communities in Nigeria and for Nigeria as a country."

Government toes the same line

Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Jubril Bello Gada, whose speech was read by Adegoke Adegoroye, the permanent secretary in the ministry, supported Braide's position.

He said: "Museums and Tourism have a strong symbiotic but delicate relationship which must be carefully managed for sustainable development. Museums the world over influence the flow of tourists who go in search of knowledge, adventure and relaxation, and this is evident in the increase in the number of tourists who go in search of historic ruins, museums, cultural sites and landscapes, as well as their associated myriad of intangible cultural values such as songs, myths, folklores, dances, language and drama."

Gada, who also argued for the conservation of monuments, archaeological sites and museums, also mentioned the economic potentialities of tourism.

"Tourism today is a global economic gold mine and ‘the world's number one employer' of labour. It is acknowledged as a foreign exchange earner, income distributor and a catalyst for rural development and the fostering of peace among visitors and communities.

"With the economic depression knocking on our doors, we need to focus on cultural tourism which has the potential to attract unprecedented foreign exchange from the surge of travellers that would prefer the third world where they can spend less. Our duty therefore is to jointly work towards making Nigeria the preferred destination," he said.

The minister who said further that the Federal Government was working towards ensuring a better and enabling environment for all players in the tourism and culture sectors through the review of policies and support structures thanked the Ford Foundation and British Museum for its assistance to the Lagos Museum.

The Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Joe Eboreime also spoke on the importance of conservation and the rich content of Nigeria's museums.

"The Nigerian museums are known for ancient artworks that span a period of 8,000 years. The artworks are naturalistic, semi naturalistic and stylised. These and other peculiar attributes attract tourists to Nigeria museums," he said.

Eboreime did not fail to acknowledge the support of individuals and organisations like Emeka Anyaokwu, Segun Olusola, the Ford Foundation, Adhiambo Odaga, Maggie Reese and staff of the Lagos Museum for their support.

Performances by pupils and students of Baby Bond Nursery/Primary and Secondary School broke the monotony of speeches at the event. The students proved their mettle with the Fisherman's Dance of Badagry, Swange Dance of the Tiv and Atilogwu dances they performed.

The anchor, Andy Gabriel also enlivened the event with his hilarious jokes.

A cultural activist named Ajinmirin also created a buzz on arrival. As his car adorned with ornaments entered the premises, journalists swarmed him. Obviously relishing the media attention, the artist took his time in packing his stuff from inside the car.

He had his minutes in the limelight proper when he performed a song titled ‘Nigeria the Land of Culture and Tourism'. His ‘Halleluyah, I must be proud of Nigerian culture' also attracted smiles and giggles from the crowd comprising students and eminent citizens.

The first indigenous Director General of the museum commission, Ekpo Eyo and his wife, Yemisi Shyllon, Frank Aig-Imokuhuede, Tunde Thompson, Aduke Gomez, Frank Okonta and others were later taken round the ‘All Is Not Lost' exhibition.