Stakeholders Seek Protection Of Nigeria’s Cultural Heritage

Stakeholders in the arts and culture sector converged on Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, for a one-day meeting to brainstorm on protecting the country’s cultural heritage.

In a statement made available to reporters and signed by the director of publicity, Tahirm Zakari, the statement read in part, “Nigeria is blessed with a rich cultural heritage reflected in its ancient settlements, historical monuments, traditional arts, archaeological sites, and cultural artefacts. These treasures serve as a link between the past and the present, helping us understand the history, values, and achievements of our ancestors. However, many of these invaluable resources are under threat from vandalism, theft, illegal excavation, urban development, and neglect”, he noted.

Continuing, he said that, “the protection of antiquities is not solely the responsibility of government agencies. It is a collective duty that requires the active participation of communities, traditional institutions, educational establishments, and the general public. When historical sites and artefacts are destroyed or removed illegally, future generations are deprived of important sources of knowledge about their identity and heritage, he said.

He noted that public awareness is essential to safeguarding cultural resources and that citizens should be encouraged to report suspicious activities around archaeological sites and heritage monuments.

He emphasised that communities that host such sites should regard them as assets that can promote tourism, education, and economic development.

He furthermore stated that, “schools should incorporate heritage education into their curricula to instil appreciation for cultural resources among young people. Government at all levels should also strengthen laws against the illegal trafficking of antiquities and provide adequate funding for conservation and preservation efforts”

The meeting ended with a call to all Nigerians to note that “our cultural heritage is a national treasure that cannot be replaced once lost. By working together to protect antiquities, we preserve the legacy of our forebears and ensure that future generations can learn from and appreciate the rich history of our nation. The preservation of heritage is the preservation of identity”, he concluded.