By; LUCKY YAKUBU LUBABATU
Nigerian National Museums Lagos: The Nigerian Museums was founded in 1957. Today, it houses some remarkable collections of the country sculptures arts, ethnographic and archeological displays. The Museum is located at Onikon in Lagos.
National War Museum Umuahia: It houses some of the mind-loving relics of the country. It is aptly called a war museum because it has on display many of the equipment and craft that was used during the Nigerian civil war.
The Ojukwu bunker can be found here. Relics of Enugu coal miner riots and Aba women riot can be found here as well, including the famous local bombs called Ogbungwe.
National Museum Benin city: Benin city has this museum that was established in 1973. There are a lot of intrinsic artworks that are displayed here like the famous Bini Bronze sculptures, cast iron pieces and the terracotta. The ancient Benin empire is well represented here and the depth of history represented here.
Jos Museum: Jos museum is older than the Nigerian museum. It was found in 1952 and it is closed to the Jos zoo. This is where you can find the Nok terracotta heads that date back to 500BC. There are crafted lotteries and other inherent relics on display in this piece.
National Museum Kaduna: The National museum, Kaduna is a classical example of a non-purpose built museum. The building which was the secretariat of the then Northern People’s Congress was donated to the Federal department of Artiquities the defunct Northern Central State Government. The museum which is situated in Unguwan Shanu, is bound in the North by Unguwan Shanu market, in the South by the Emir of Zazzau’s house, and in the West by the state Ministry of land’s and survey along Ali Akilu road in Kaduna North local government area. It was opened to the public on the 20th of March, 1975.The museum has a gallery which is located in the main story building. The gallery is divided in three sections, namely archaeology, ethnography and modern craft. The archaeology, also known as the pre-history, has some man’s past achievements. Stone age materials and sculptures from Nok. The ethnographic section has objects on display from different ethnic groups in Nigeria. The third section is devoted to modern craft, which is still being practiced in the Northern part of Nigeria. The museum also has a craft village where modern craft are being manufactured. Presently, the museum has over one hundred staff made up of curators, archaeologists, ethnographers, monument officers, conservators, education officers, administrators and others. The museum is headed by a curator.
Lucky Yakubu Lubabatu,Principal conservator, National Museum, Kaduna
