Skip to main content

NCMM Raises Concern As Illegal Excavation Threatens Nigeria's World Heritage Sites

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
       Osun Oshogbo Grove

National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) has raised concern as Nigeria's two World Heritage Sites are threatened by illegal excavation and erosion that currently defaced the monuments. 

The Sukur Cultural Landscape, Adawama State and Osun Oshogbo Grove in Osun State are Nigeria's only monuments inscribed as United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) world heritage sites in 1999 and 2005 respectively. 

To this end, the commission has sought the support of the Ecological Project Office (EPO) in remediating the heritage sites and other national monuments across the country.

The Director- General of NCMM, Prof Abba Isa Tijani made the passionate appeal during a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary of EPO, Malam Shehu Ibrahim on Wednesday in Abuja. 

Tijani hinted that illegal mining and encroachment around the Osun Oshogbo Grove worsened erosion menace in the area and polluted the revered water that worshippers believed has spiritual healing powers.

        Sukur Cultural Landscape Adawama 

He disclosed that the commission is unable to manage its museums and monuments due to encroachment and infringement, saying that failure to maintain the existing national monuments would deny Nigeria the privilege to enlist them as world heritage sites. 

Citing an example with Kano City Wall, Tijani said that given the paucity of funds and economic value of the historical sites, that there is a need to sustain the ecosystem for both tourism and employment generation.

Aside the two world heritage sites, Nigeria currently has 65 National Monuments and has commenced the process of declaring 111 historical sites as national monuments.

The permanent secretary commended NCMM for its doggedness towards the preservation of the heritage sites and monuments, as well as its determination to retrieve Nigeria's artefacts carted away by the colonial masters, which had yielded positive results. 

Ibrahim assured that EPO is willing to partner with relevant agencies to address ecological problems in the country, adding that the agency mainly interventions in areas that would impact on communities. 

He advised the commission to expand its collaboration beyond EPO for a more comprehensive intervention in other problematic areas. 

The permanent secretary enjoined NCMM to present their requests in line with EPO's areas of intervention, promising to assess the requests and pick the ones that falls within their mandate. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

11- month Unpaid Salaries: FG Returns EHCON To Budget Circle By 2025

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Stakeholders and Staff of EHCON in a group photograph at the unveiling of EHCON’s Electronic Documentation Management Center (EDMC) in Abuja on Wednesday. The Federal Government has stated that plans are underway to return the staff of Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) to budgetary allocation by 2025 and facilitate the payment of 11-month unpaid salaries. Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal stated this on Wednesday in Abuja at the unveiling of Environmental Health Council of Nigeria's (EHCON) Electronic Documentation Management Center (EDMC).  The centre, which is domiciled at the headquarters of EHCON in the Federal Secretariat, was built by EHCON in partnership with Agro - Climate Resilience in Semi Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) and financed by the World Bank. News Rider reports that the staff of EHCON received their last salary in December 2023, which  implied that from January to November 2024, the workforce are y...
1 comment
Read more

EHCON Seals Deal With SEPHON, EPHPAN, WAHEB To Revamp Environmental, Public Health

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Registrar of  Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) Dr Yakubu Baba  displaying a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Registrar of West African Health Examination Board (WAHEB) Mrs Bola Oladejo in Abuja on Tuesday.  In line with global best practices, the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has sealed deal with strategic professional bodies to revamp environmental and public health issues across the country.  They are Society for Environmental and Public Health of Nigeria (SEPHON), Environmental and Public Health Practitioners of Nigeria (EPHPAN), and West African Health Examination Board (WAHEB).  Registrar of EHCON, Dr Yakubu Baba stated this on Tuesday at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the professional bodies in Abuja.  He noted that Environmental Health (EH) is a profession recognised and established by Act 11 of Environmental Health Officers Registration Counc...
Post a Comment
Read more

CCB, NILDS Endorse CIFCFIN Agenda To Eliminate Fraud

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Iliyasu Gashinbaki  The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) have endorsed the agenda of the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN), aimed at eliminating fraud from systems of government.  This was one of the major highlights during the Institute’s 13th Direct Training/Licensed Practitioners Training/graduation and award of Fellowship at NILDS headquarters, Abuja.  Speaking after his investiture as an Honourary Fellow of the Institute, Chairman of CCB, Dr. Abdullahi Bello noted that CIFICFIN embodies excellence, integrity and a steadfast commitment to combating fraud and upholding justice. He pointed out that to be recognised and honoured as a fellow of the institute is a privilege that he will cherish and carry with great responsibility.  “As the Chief Executive of CCB, I am reminded of the critical role we play in fosterin...
Post a Comment
Read more