Federal Government To Build Community Museum In Nigeria –Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government of Nigeria has promised to establish community museums in the country

Naija News learnt that The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced the plan today at the ongoing 4th World UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture in Kyoto, Japan.

According Alhaji Lai the plan is part of efforts of the Nigerian government to ensure that local communities benefit from tourism.

“In Nigeria, we observed that tourists stay in big cities when they visit.‘They visit the museums in the cities where objects gotten from different parts, including the rural areas, are displayed but they hardly go to the rural areas.”To encourage tourists to visit the rural areas where money spent is quickly reflected in the local economy, we are trying to establish community museums,” the minister said.

According to Mohammed, the government will, in particular, encourage the establishment of palace museums.

“Parts of ancient residencies of traditional rulers and important chiefs are being turned to museums. ‘Thus, we are not limiting museums to big cities. Money spent by tourists while visiting these rustic places stays longer in these areas.”Lamido Adamawa now has the Fombina Palace museum, just like the Emir of Potiskum has palace museum,” he said.

The Minister also revealed the government, through high-level representation, training of festival managers and the provision of enabling environment, is supporting and promoting festivals and cultural tourism all over the country.