Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday toured the National Museum in Onikan, Lagos preparatory to the redesign and modernisation of the edifice into a world-class historical hub and tourist site.
The visit is a follow-up to the promise by Ambode, during the minister’s courtesy visit to him two weeks ago to collaborate with the Federal Government in the modernisation of the National Museum.
Ambode said the partnership would entail the utilisation of the fallow land around the museum to erect new structures while the old building remains intact.
He said a multi-layer car park, which the state government is constructing near the museum, would complement the proposed modern museum.
“You will recall that two weeks back, the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture was in my office and we did speak about establishing a new museum here and as a follow up, he decided to invite me again today to see things for myself.
“So, what we have done today is to find out what is required to collaborate and I am happy the DG has been able to take us round. We have seen what we have here and we believe that with this new partnership, Nigeria will be better for it. What I have seen is that we have enough space to actually create a new museum – a modern one – while the old one is still also in place,” Ambode said.
In his remarks, the Minister said the project is like a dream come true and described it as one of the biggest collaboration so far between Abuja and Lagos in the area of culture and tourism.
“That the Governor has been able to come here today is an eloquent confirmation that he is ready to walk his talk. The issue goes beyond Lagos State. I think it’s about Nigeria,” Mohammed said.
The Director General of the National Museum and Monuments, Mr. Yusuf Abdallah Usman, who guided the Minister and the Governor on the tour, said culture is on the concurrent list, which envisages collaboration of all tiers of government to develop culture and tourism.
