Museums in Nigeria…and Other Lands is the first attempt by any Nigerian to provide a panoramic picture of museums in his country as well as what obtains elsewhere.
After traversing Nigeria severally for first-hand knowledge of the situation of local museums and monuments, the author; Maurice Archibong, also visited similar sites in select West African and European countries.
Covering roughly 230 pages, Museums in Nigeria…and Other Lands is replete with useful information, not only for students of museology but also tourists and everyone.
To order
In Nigeria: Copies are available at unit cost of N8,100; however, any order from 100 copies will yield a discount, bringing the unit cost to N7,000. Please pay to ARCHIBONG, Maurice: Curr. Acc. No. 2000599397 First Bank, Marina Branch. Allow three days for delivery, after we receive alert confirming payment.
Outside Nigeria: Rest of Africa US$55, Europe US$60, The Americas US$65, Asia US$70 & Australia/New Zealand US$75. Orders in excess of 100 copies attract 10% discount. Please pay to ARCHIBONG, Maurice: Curr. Acc. No. 4572900729574 First Bank, Bolingo, Abuja Branch. Allow two weeks to one month for delivery, after we receive alert confirming payment.
Former French colony, Benin Republic, Nigeria’s immediate neighbour to the West, turned 51 as an independent nation on Monday, August 1, 2011.
Expectedly, that day was declared a national holiday; and, interestingly, the following day was also decreed work-free to enable indigenes that travelled from remote areas to Natitingou in the northern parts to participate in special observances of the fete recover from journey pangs.
Welcome to Benin Republic, formerly known as Dahomey, where in April this year a tightly contested presidential election put everyone on edge. Interestingly, a run-off expected by many was scuttled by announcement that incumbent President, Dr. Boni Yayi, had eventually secured enough votes to remain in office.
Subsequently, unlike the enthusiasm that heralded the presidential poll, the legislative elections that follwed weeks after was akin to an anti-climax; for, voter-apathy was conspicuous at countless polling stations, where electoral officials and security personnel outnumbered those that appeared to have reluctantly turned up to vote, following strident appeals over various media asking the electorate to seize the opportunity to exercise their franchise.
Marching forward steadily
This is Benin Republic, where signs of steady progress in nation building as well as social and economic growth fostered by elected leaders since the return of democracy here 20 years ago can be perceived in the lives of the people. In deed, the country’s economic capital, Cotonou, has been dramatically transformed in barely two decades to the point that, anyone that last visted these parts 20 years ago would be hard-put to recognise this settlement today.
Cotonou is not the only Benin Republic ville enjoying modernization at dizzying pace: similar progress can also be seen around the country’s official capital, Porto Novo. And, one can say the same about Parakou in the country’s central Borgou area as well as Natitingou and Malaville in the far north.
However, critics are wont to say that developments have been principally restricted to the urban areas; for, thousands of kilometres of rural roads network are pot-holes infested dirt-roads, and people travelling from Babana, the Nigerian border settlement in Borgu area of Niger State; through Nikki in Benin Republic, where the nearest local immigration post is located, arrive in Dali; completely covered by dust.
But, to be candid; one must recognise the untiring efforts of the Beninoise authorities and their international donor agencies even in these rural areas; for, we saw countless schools and health centres in very remote places. And, what is more, not only are many remote villages electrified, their inhabitabants also enjoy uninterrupted electricity!
Benin-Nigeria relations
Benin’s proximity to Nigeria and the economic activities between the two countries as well as the millions of Nigerians that have made home there, throw up both opportunities and challenges. Border areas are porous and pose threats to national security through smuggling, especially of narcotic drugs as well as arms and ammunitions.
Because of logistic deficiences and the fact that the volume of human traffic across the borders between Nigeria and Benin could sometimes be overwhelming, statistics are vague. Although various security agencies on both sides frequently record interceptions and apprehend many an undesirable commuter, there is no doubt that many of such vermin successfully slip through, going by reports of transboder crimes in both countries.
At the economic level, Nigeria and Benin Republic enjoy staggering trade relations; sadly, however, everything is at best nebulous because the bulk of exchange of goods and currencies take place at the informal level. Whereas some of the drawbacks could be reined in by taking advantage of the two countries’ memberships of various international bodies, including the reginal ECOWAS, it would seem that efforts need to be made to fast-track things on the diplomatic level between Benin and Nigeria.
The prevailing unsatisfactory situation is sorely pushed to the fore by the fact that 51 years after independence, there is no bilateral tie signed by the two nations, despite being nextdoor neighbours. This is in spite of the fact that along their border areas Benin and Nigeria are home to the same indigenous peoples.
Among such aborigines are the Ogu (Egun) around Oglogbo (Seme) and Krake near Badagry; Yoruba from Idiroko through Igolo to Ketou as well as Borgu (Borgou) people in Nigeria’s Kwara, Kebbi and Niger states’ areas and Parakou et cetera parts of Benin Republic.
Prospective areas of bilateral agreements between Benin and Nigeria include “Elimination of double taxation” and “Framework for development” et cetera. In deed, we gathered that a “Co-prosperity Alliance Zone” agreement, conceived to fast-track and facilitate economic growth from Nigeria to Ghana, through BeninRepublic and Togo is also on the card. However, without putting necessary signatures to relevant documents, such plans would prove no better than mere dreams.
Speaking with mauricearchibongtravels inside his office in Cotonou, Amb. Lawrence Akindele (now deceased) once said; “As a matter of fact, for more than 10 years now; the Joint Commission, which is the framework for carrying out bilateral relations between Nigeria and BeninRepublic, was in doldrums”. Although the fourth session of that joint commission took place sometime last year in Abuja; sadly, however; “the meeting was inconclusive”, Ambassador Akindele had recalled.
“There are a number of important frameworks for cooperation. And, you would remember that we also have the West Africa Gas Pipeline Project, and BeninRepublic have challenges of oil and gas. This means that there are many, many bilateral frameworks within which we can address issues of mutual interests”, Akindele emphasized.
Nigerian mission to Cotonou should be strong, efficient
Given Benin’s strategic importance to Nigeria, one would expect that our country’s embassy in Cotonou enjoys priority status. And, that this mission would be properly equipped, both in human and material resources terms, to be able to execute their functions effectively and efficiently.
Sadly, however, this appears not to be the case; for, there have been times, when the conducts of some embassy staffers here were declared as far from satisfactory. Moreover, there were also periods, when Nigerian Embassy, Cotonou was put at the mercy of some Charge d’Affaires; when those who should know ought not to do so, because a substantive ambassador is naturally in a stronger position to make things happen than someone generally seen as merely holding fort.
Going through the history of Nigerian ambassadors to Cotonou as well as each one’s tenure, one would discover that there have been times; when this outpost was left virtually rudderless. It is also worth noting that, even though both West African countries got independence from European colonial masters since 1960, it would take another 14 years before Nigeria assigned its first envoy to Cotonou.
History of Nigerian Envoys to Cotonou
Interestingly, Mr. D.D. Obunge, who was Nigerian’s debut Ambassador to Benin Republic, was posted there in 1974. In February 1976, Ambassador Edwin Ihama was appointed to succeed Obunge, and the former served there till 1981.
Thenafter, it would seem that this important mission was left acephalous for six whole years until Miss J.J. Ayorinde assumed duty there as Ambassador in 1987. Following Ambassador Ayorinde’s exit in 1989, Mr Philip Binye Koroye served there in the same capacity from February 8, 1990 to November 17, 1992.
Sadly, Ambassador Adigun; who took his first degree at University of Lagos in Mass Communication, was drafted to Abuja and virtually placed on interdiction over his refusal to cooperate with murdering agents of Abacha’s junta, who believed he failed by not helping them apprehend NADECO activists, who presumably fled Nigeria through Seme and Idiroko borders.
Interestingly, we had engaged Ambassador Adigun for some chats, and the harvest from such encounters were published in the Saturday Weekend Magazine of the Daily Times around December 1992. Interestingly, during our conversations with Mr. Adigun, he had named Newswatch CEO, Chief Ray Ekpu, among his classmates, while a student at UNILAG.
After these encounters with Amb. Adigun, I was further convinced that my deep-rooted interests in the welfare of Nigerians in Diaspora as well as helping to foster ties between my country and other nations were not misplaced.
The Abacha dictatorship held Nigerian Embassy Cotonou in contempt: that this outpost was practically left rudderless until Ambassador M.M. Bauchi was appointed envoy here in 1999 is one proof of this disdain, which; sadly, ignored the social and economic interests of some one million Nigerians living in Cotonou or doing business across Benin Republic.
Interestingly, Mr. Bauchi worked there for barely six months before Ambassador E.O. Oladeji was brought in, in 2000. Seven years later, in 2007, Mr. Oladeji was redeployed. However, it would take roughly two years before his successor, Ambassador Lawrence Akindele, was posted to Cotonou. Painfully, on February 3, 2011; Akindele, who practically won everyone’s heart through his detribalized conduct, dedication to work and excellent communication skills et cetera passed on.
Given his dedication and drive, there is no doubt that any matter would linger for so long waiting for attention; were Amb Akindele alive. It is widely believed that this late envoy died from stress-related ailment, and there was talk that he virtually died from lack of rest because he would not delegate duties.
Well, the current situation; where exercises that demand expeditious treatment are handled lackadaisically, hints at the possibility that Amb Akindele lived by the Yoruba maxim; Oju mewa, k’oto oju eni, which simply put, means five persons pairs of eyes can hardly serve you better than yours.
From a one-time loathed mission, members of Nigerian Community Cotonou had told President Goodluck Jonathan during a reception for him in Benin Republic on December 31, 2010, that; “Amb Akindele had transformed Nigerian Embassy Cotonou from mere consulting clinic to a teaching hospital”. You can’t soar like an eagle when flying with turkeys, says another adage; and, it would seem Akindele was able to achieve success by monitoring work every step of the way because of weak links in the chain.
NIHOTOUR, NEPC kickstart plans for Nigerians’ share of yummy cake
The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) in collaboration with the Nigerian Export Promotions Council (NEPC) held a very important one-day sensitization seminar in Abuja and Lagos recently.
R-L: Tourism Minister, High Chief Edem Duke; NIHOTOUR DG, Alhaji Munzali Dantata; Ladi Dakwo (JP) and NEPC Executive Director, David Adelugba during the Abuja seminar. PHOTO: NIHOTOUR
Dubbed, National Sensitization Seminar on Popularizing Nigerian Cuisine Globally, the theme of each seminar revolved around Promoting Nigerian Cuisine Beyond Borders.
The events took place at Ladi Kwali Conference Centre, Sheraton Hotel in Abuja on Tuesday, July 26; while the Lagos leg ran on Thursday, July 28; at NEPC Zonal Office on Oladipo Oluwole Street in Apapa.
Given the plenitude and ever-increasing population of Nigerians in the Diaspora, there is no doubt that running a Nigerian restaurant in a foreign country would be a profitable venture. However, not many people have the slightest inkling as to how to go about investing in this line of business.
The seminars therefore provided an excellent and auspicious platform for the NEPC and NIHOTOUR to shed light on their roles toward facilitating the promotion of Nigerian cuisine abroad.
In Abuja, aside the Tourism, Culture and National Orientation Minister, Chief Edem Duke; and, NIHOTOUR DG, Alhaji Munzali Dantata; other addresses were also delivered by the Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Investment; Dr. Samuel Ortom and NEPC Executive Director, David I Adelugba, who gave the welcome address.
Papers presented at the Abuja seminar included Nutrition Value of Nigerian Foods by Mrs Dinatu Selleng, a Dietrician at Specialist Hospital, Jos; Hygiene Practices Food Handling by Mr Ernest C. Obia, Director Hospitality, NIHOTOUR, Abuja; Packaging and Challenges of Nigerian Cuisine for Experts by Mrs Kofo Ajelabi, Consultant; and, Market Penetration Strategies and Potentials of Nigerian Cuisine beyond borders by Mr Sabo Bello, Director Marketing at NEPC, Abuja.
In Lagos, where Ladi T Dakwo (JP), Director Planning, Consultancy and Information Services, represented DG NIHOTOUR; while the Executive Director of NEPC was represented by Mr L. Ako, Director Bilateral & Multilateral Trade NEPC; the same papers were presented, except that Nutritional value of Nigerian foods was this time presented by Dr (Mrs.) Patricia Mbah, a lecturer at Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos.
Prior to the seminars, NIHOTOUR’s director of planning, consultancy and information had told mauricearchibongtravels that the exercise promised much delectation; and, she would be vindicated by the impression of those that witnessed the events.
Speaking with mauricearchibongtravels two weeks to the seminars,this director had remarked: “We’ve seen that Chinese, Italian, Indian foods have been accepted world-wide. To my mind, Nigerian cuisine also ought to be promoted. Nigeria is the largest black nation on earth and its cuisine needs to be showcased; so, the seminar we are organizing will create awareness to galvanize action”.
In his keynote address, Chief Duke, who graced the Abuja seminar with his presence; lauded the synergy between NIHOTOUR and NEPC in promoting Nigerian culture through indigenous cuisine.
Coming literally on the heels of his appointment as Tourism, Culture and National Orientation Minister, Chief Duke; who observed that the forum provided him the opportunity of meeting hospitality stakeholders officially, as a minister; added: “I wish it serves as wake-up call for quality service delivery in the industry”.
The minister, who went on to declare that “The Federal Government’s commitment to reposition tourism as one of the levers of economic growth and development in the country is not in doubt”; subsequently urged: “We, the stakeholders, are duty-bound to ensure that the industry moves forward, so that Nigerians can also benefit from it. It is against this background that I invite all stakeholders to join me to put all hands on deck to transform the industry and move it to the next level”.
He reminded that restructuring and professionalization of the ministry: such as the production of a functional National Tourism Policy, putting in place the Tourism Satellite Account, evolving an implementable Tourism Development Master Plan and the Heritage Master plan, the siting of an Abuja Cultural Centre and Millennium Tower, among others; were efforts aimed at achieving this objective.
“Tourism”, Chief Duke continued, “is recognised today as the world’s greatest employer of labour and a good generator of wealth. At present, we are grappling with the problem of youth unemployment, which in some cases have resulted in youth restiveness. We cannot, therefore, fold our hands and watch a dreaded monster (unemployment) push us onto the precipice.
“I am made to understand that the seminar is aimed at showcasing Nigeria’s rich cuisines with the objective of packaging and exporting same to the outside world. Countries like China, France, Italy and India have used their kitchen as a source of generating foreign earnings and means of promoting their cultural heritage. Secondly, it is intended to sensitize stakeholders with the available opportunities within the industry and finally promote intellectual discourse on ethnic foods in the country”.
Concluding, the minister; while commendeding NIHOTOUR and NEPC, organizers of the seminar, for their initiative; and, expressing hope “they will sustain it; added: “We all owe it as a duty to make Nigeria the ultimate tourist destination in Africa. It is a task we have set for ourselves, and I have no doubt that with all these efforts; Nigeria, very soon, will be among the top twenty economies in the world”.
In his address at the Lagos seminar, NIHOTOUR DG, Alhaji Dantata, who also commended the organizers; remarked: “Tourism industry is a specialized, people-oriented, service endeavour; and, therefore calls for specialized training for its full potentials to be realised”.
Dantata, who observed that the seminars’ timing could not have been more auspicious, “especially now that Mr. President is asking all of us to be agents of transformation”; added that “Seminars like this, offer a unique opportunity for Nigerians to appreciate their nation’s various cuisines and strive to promote them and make them acceptable, thereby bringing in the much-needed foreign earnings”.
He, however, drew attention to the importance of finishing thus: “One thing I must harp on here is packaging of the products. Report on The site.org estimates that the global food packaging industry is worth a whopping $100billion, and growing by 10 to 15 percent each year; and, Nigeria needs to tap into this”.
The Nihotour boss went on to declare: “I have no doubt that my counterpart in the Nigerian Export Promotion Council will help in the packaging and presentation of the food for international market”, said the Nihotour helmsman; who went on to express joy that NIHOTOUR was now better poised to make it more responsive to the training needs of the industry as well as meet the challenges of its mandate.
“To this end”, Dantata continued; “NIHOTOUR’s presence is now felt in virtually all the six geopolitical zones of the country. This was done with a view to cover effectively all sectors of the industry as well as promote professionalism in the sector”.
To conclude, Dantata, “strongly” advised “both the public and private sectors to avail themselves of the training programmes available in NIHOTOUR from the craft to the managerial levels”.
Participants at the seminars included restaurateurs, caterers, connoiseurs, hospitality sector stakeholders as well as CEOs of departments and agencies under the Tourism Ministry and a host of others, including top brasses of Grand Cereal Ltd, makers of Soya Oil as well as West African Seasoning.
