US Mission preserves rock art in collaboration with NCMM
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
“The Ancient Rock Art of Nigeria” has been launched at the National Museum in Lagos by the United States Mission in collaboration with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) and the Trust for African Rock Art (TARA).
The unique travelling exhibition is open to visitors over the next four weeks in Lagos before travelling to the National Museum in Calabar in July and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in September.
The US government says the project is part of its package of support for the preservation of Nigeria’s rich heritage through the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) and other partnership mechanisms.
The exhibition, sponsored by the AFCP, seeks to raise awareness of the importance of preserving Nigerian rock art – a cultural treasure at risk.
Acting US Consul General Brandon Hudspeth highlighted at the event the commitment and continued support of the US Mission towards preserving Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
He said the scope and depth of the various AFCP projects in the country have helped to strengthen collaboration in preserving Nigeria’s culture, both for future generations and for tourism.
“I am proud to say that since the program’s inception, Nigeria has received 10 Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation grants worth $1 million with projects spread across the country.
“This achievement shines a light on Nigeria’s historical and cultural heritage. It is also a symbol of the high regard in which the United States holds Nigerian culture,” Hudspeth added.
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Digitisation of cultural heritage
NCMM Director General Abba Tijani, a professor, applauded the impact of AFCP projects across Nigerian museums.
“The U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation has been yielding great results in terms of capacity building, documentation and digitization of our rich cultural heritage,” he said.
“This is just the beginning. We look forward to many more productive partnerships with the U.S. government.”
TARA Executive Chairman David Coulson explained that the aim of the travelling exhibition is to engage communities living near the rock sites on the beauty of rock art as well as the perils it faces from both human and natural forces.
Therefore, he stressed, “it is essential that we increase involvement of community members in efforts to preserve and benefit from their rich cultural heritage.”
The exhibition is hosted at the National Museum in Lagos. It includes monoliths from museum storage rooms which have not been on public display for decades, over 50 photographs, 3D reproductions and thematic videos.
A key component of the project is the preservation of rock art in Cross River and Jigawa, ensuring its conservation through proper documentation and the provision of basic infrastructure.
The NCMM and TARA are the main partners providing expertise and leadership for the implementation of the project.
By involving ABU and the University of Calabar (UNICAL), the project has strengthened a national network responsible for the conservation and promotion of the ancient rock art of Nigeria.
