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.