JOS NATIONAL MUSEUM IN COLORFUL CULTURAL RENAISSANCE AT INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY CELEBRATION

By Matthew Owoicho Abah (windsoundafrica@gmail.com)

The 2022 International Museum Day Celebration of 18th May was a memorable day for visitors from far and near, officials of the richly endowed Jos National Museum and those of stakeholder Ministries. and Agencies of Plateau State Government, such as the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Hospitality. It was one of those rare moments amongst peoples of diverse cultural, earthnic and religous backgrounds when their deferencies are roundly ignored while demonstrating the cultural afinities that should bind Nigeria together to confront all the challenges that tend to threaten the unity of the nation. As a matter of fact, the day was a practical proof by Jos National Museum of the trueism of Plateau State being the Home of Peace and Tourism

At the event, held in collaboration with Afizere Cultural And Community Development Association(ACCDA) National Body, with the theme: The Power Of Museums, representatives of the State Government and Cultural institutions all urged for the jettisioning of all aspects of. our existential naratives that tend to divide the people while promoting those that motivate Nigerians to rize above our collective problems such as the International Museum Day Celebration. More than twenty Cultural Troops from across the various Nigeian Cultural nationalities were represented at the spacious museum grounds in highly galvanized performancies.. A keen observer at the Jos National Museum grounds would find it quite natural to agree that there is rarely any other event other than football tournaments, that brings people together in sisterly and brotherly positive uprising than the International Museum Day Celebration, with the passion brought to bear on it by the Curator and other officials of Jos National Museum

At the Idoma Compound where the sons and elders of the land converged to receive visitor to their Itakpa (visitors’ abode), members and non-members of the Idoma Community Development Association who witnessed the official event exchanged pleasantries with visitors from other cultures across Nigeria. Engr batholomeau Abiche, President of the Development Association on the Plateau advised visitors and hosts of the need to continuously remain abreast with their cultural heritage as that was one of the sure ways of embracing peace, harmony and hard work which he said are the bedrocks of all cultures across Nigeria.

The International Museum Day Celebration is the brainchild of the International Council of Museums which ensured its commencement since 1977 to give relevance and due attentions to all issues affecting museums in Africa and across the world.