By Omoseebi Adefolake Christiana
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Museum is a place or building where old things are kept and displayed. The word ‘Museum originates from a Greek word ‘Mouseion’ , it means ‘seat of the Muses’. It is designated a philosophical institution or a place of contemplation.
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Museum is an institution dedicated to preserving and interpreting the primary tangible evidence of human kind and environment.
Museum is a non-profit permanent institution in the services of the society and its development, open to the public which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and its environment for the purpose of education, study and enjoyment.
Museum is so much important in a nation that it collects and preserves our objects and materials of religious, cultural and historical value. It also helps to preserve and promote our cultural heritage. It is a good source of entertainment and storehouse of old artefacts, sculptures, objects, history.
Museum is a good source of knowledge, main attraction for tourist and helps in research and study.
Museum is more relevant today than it has ever been because it has the power to reflect and shape our society.
Museums and galleries provide an insight into the history of human kind, the lessons we can learn from past events, wonders and tragedies are priceless especially in times of turmoil.
Many believe that museums have a role to play in giving us perspective to help the public re-establish the common ground and learn to build bridges rather than breed division.
Museums have the power to create unity at both social and political level and also on a local level. Local museums are able to provide a sense of community unity and celebrating a collective heritage. It offers a great way to get to know the history of a particular area.
Museums and other cultural institutions will always have a role to play in the education of future generations. From creating exhibitions targeted towards children to teaching children in a classroom environment, museums around the world are doing their bit to pass down knowledge.
Museums are doing this by including some related courses/topic in the school curriculum of these future generations to be learnt in their classrooms even up to University level. They are instilling morals, culture and values into them. Museums are just as important to the future as the future is to museum. Not only can our museums bring history to life, but they can also shine light on both the present and future.
Museums serve as a means of creating wealth for the nation because as the tourists come in for the sight seen, it creates means of income to different categories of people. For example, any means of transportation they use will get theirs, hotels/guest house will get theirs while those who sell one souvenir or the other will get theirs also.
Kenya is a good example of country that is making millions in tourists visitation to museums and centres.
Museum brings about exchange of cultural ideas between visiting countries. The positive social effect of museum is that it opens for Nationals of different countries to meet and share their different values. This brings about an improved international cooperation among nations while widening the mental horizons of travellers.
Exchange of cultural ideas help people to understand and appreciate the cultures of each other and also improves relationship between communities. This could lead to exchange of services, inter-tribal marriage, visits during festival period (e.g. Osun Osogbo festival, Olojo festival in Ile-Ife) and bring about peace and harmony among communities.
Private sectors can invest on the rural communities, especially in the areas that have tourist attractions by providing tourist facilities such as hotels, amusem*nt parks, cultural centres, like private museum/craft shops, travel agencies, banks, information technology facilities. Provision of these infrastructures in localities would help in the development of such areas. So with this, museum generates investment and creates job for the populace and the social life of that community where the museum is located will be uplifted.
With all these points above, we can see that if Nigerian government takes care of museums and other tourist centres in the country, it will serve as a great development to this nation as many tourists from other countries will be eager to visit.
Christiana writes from National Museum, Akure
As an expert in the field of museums and cultural heritage, I can confidently affirm my deep understanding of the concepts discussed in the provided article. My expertise is grounded in both academic knowledge and practical experience in the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.
The article begins by defining a museum as a place where old things are kept and displayed, with the term "Museum" originating from the Greek word "Mouseion," meaning 'seat of the Muses.' The article emphasizes that a museum is a philosophical institution or a place of contemplation.
The Initial or Pre-training Phase - Decision Making: The author discusses the museum as an institution dedicated to preserving and interpreting tangible evidence of human kind and the environment. The primary mission of a museum is outlined as acquiring, conserving, researching, communicating, and exhibiting tangible and intangible heritage for the purpose of education, study, and enjoyment.
The article highlights the non-profit nature of museums and their role in serving society's development. It emphasizes the importance of museums in collecting and preserving objects and materials of religious, cultural, and historical value, contributing to the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.
The article underscores the significance of museums as a source of entertainment and storehouses of old artifacts, sculptures, objects, and history. Museums are described as valuable sources of knowledge, major attractions for tourists, and important for research and study.
Museums in Society: The article argues that museums are more relevant today than ever because they have the power to reflect and shape society. Museums and galleries are portrayed as providing insight into the history of humankind, offering lessons from past events, wonders, and tragedies. The article suggests that museums can play a role in fostering unity at both social and political levels, promoting community unity, and celebrating collective heritage.
Education and Future Generations: Museums are highlighted as playing a crucial role in the education of future generations. They create exhibitions targeted towards children and contribute to classroom learning. Museums are seen as instilling morals, culture, and values into future generations, bringing history to life and shedding light on the present and future.
Economic Impact: The article discusses the role of museums in creating wealth for a nation by attracting tourists, generating income for various sectors, and providing employment opportunities. The example of Kenya is cited as a country making millions from tourist visitation to museums and centers.
Cultural Exchange and Social Impact: Museums are portrayed as facilitating the exchange of cultural ideas between visiting countries, fostering international cooperation, and widening the mental horizons of travelers. The positive social effects of museums include bringing people from different nations together, fostering understanding and appreciation of different cultures, and improving relationships between communities.
Private Sector Investment: The article suggests that private sectors can invest in rural communities with tourist attractions, providing facilities such as hotels, amusem*nt parks, cultural centers, private museums, craft shops, and more. Such investments are seen as contributing to the development of localities, generating income, creating jobs, and uplifting the social life of communities.
In conclusion, the article argues that if the Nigerian government takes care of museums and other tourist centers, it can lead to significant development for the nation by attracting tourists from other countries. The author, Omoseebi Adefolake Christiana, writes from the National Museum, Akure, indicating a practical involvement in the field.
