Nigeria, China boosts cultural ties

While welcoming the Nigerian delegation, the Chinese Vice Minister and Director-General State Administration for Cultural Heritage, Mr. Shan Jixiang said the meeting between the two countries in the area of Cultural protection and preservation would yield positive results. He added that he has been looking forward to this meeting, judging the place of Nigeria in […]

While welcoming the Nigerian delegation, the Chinese Vice Minister and Director-General State Administration for Cultural Heritage, Mr. Shan Jixiang said the meeting between the two countries in the area of Cultural protection and preservation would yield positive results. He added that he has been looking forward to this meeting, judging the place of Nigeria in Africa. He commended the NCMM for initiating the idea for the preservation of cultural heritage and the protection of monuments, noting that both Nigeria and China will benefit immensely, if an agreement is signed in this regard.

Mr. Shan expressed his appreciation over the warm reception accorded him and his entourage when they visited Nigeria in September, 2010 and  expressed the desire of his country to collaborate with Nigeria in any area that will be of mutual benefit to both countries, acknowledging  the achievement recorded on the management of  NCMM on the World Heritage Site.

He Vice Minister described the Sukur Cultural landscape as a very big site which has to be protected for the economic benefit of the people .

Responding, the Director-General of NCMM, Mallam Yusuf Abdallah Usman thanked the Vice Minister for the warm reception accorded them, stating that Nigeria and China have a lot in common especially in areas of cultural preservation and protection. He informed Mr. Shan that the documents he left behind in Nigeria when he visited has been carefully studied and will soon be signed.

The Director-General expressed delight over the scholarship offered some staff of the Commission to study in China, hoping that this relationship will stand the test of time.

Mallam Yusuf pointed out that the NCMM does not only show case its works in Nigeria alone, and further related  that a Nigerian exhibition is ongoing in Indiana, Polis  United States from where it  will move to New York City and later return to Nigeria. The DG commended the restoration efforts of historical buildings which China is known for, and  is among the areas of exchange which will assist the two countries on  protection, restoration, conservation of artefacts and historical buildings.

In his closing remarks, the Chinese Vice Minister requested the NCMM to  bring the Nigerian exhibition in  far away USA to china, this according to him will afford them  the opportunity to learn more about the working of the Museum.

Interestingly, some places of interest visited by the delegates include, the Capital Museum, the Mutianyu Great Wall of China, the Palace Museum regarded as one of the most comprehensive Museums in China, the Shanghai museum, Guangdong Museum, Munt Wuyi famous for its rich culture and numerous historic sites, the new Shanghai Museum, the National Museum of China and  the Museum of Natural History among others.

Those that joined the DG on the trip were the Director, Educational Services and Training,  of NCMM, Prof. Barth Chukwuezi, Hajiya Dijatu Abba, the Director-General, Adamawa State Agency for Museums and Monuments and the Curator, National Museum, Yola, Alhaji Inuwa Babantata.