26th February, 2018
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has reiterated its commitment to collaborate with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) towards promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
Mr Emil Zida, the Head of Cultural Division of the ECOWAS commission made this known to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, on the sideline of a one-day workshop on “Protection of Priceless Antiquities/artifacts .
“What brings us here to support NCMM in the training of its Antiquities Protection Officers is because the NCMM is doing a beautiful work across the country.
“ECOWAS is ever ready to collaborate with them in the protection of cultural heritage, enhancement of cultural peace and development of cultural economic,” Zadi said.
He explained that the Commission has four cardinal programmes in culture areas, including cultural heritage protection, intellectual protection, development and promotion of cultural peace and development of cultural economic and industries.
He reiterated that ECOWAS was ready to collaborate with NCMM to achieve these.
READ: Lai Mohammed commends ECOWAS for supporting security of artefacts.
Also speaking, Mr Emeka Onuegbu, the Acting Director-General, NCMM said the training was important because of the priceless value of Nigerian artifacts.
“There is need for us to protect our artifacts, and for us to protect them, we have to build the capacity of those who are in charge”.
Onuegbu, who also spoke on the country’s stolen artifacts, said that some have been returned adding that the NCMM was currently working with other countries where the objects were still being held.
He mentioned such stolen artifacts to include NOK objects, Benin objects, artifacts from Ife and other parts of the country.
“We will get them back; You will hear from us soon”, he said.