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By Fidelis Ugbomeh
The Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporatiin Dr. Kayode Opeifa has said that monuments reminds people of activities of our forbearers in any sphere of live.
He made this remark recently during the 30th anniversary celebration and unveiling of logo of “Legacy Museum”, held at railway compound, Lagos.
Represented by director human resources/administration of the corporation, Mrs Monsurat Omotayo he noted that the word “Legacy” challenges our inquisitiveness to know what happened in the past particularly in Nigerian railway corporation.
The NRC boss promised that management of the corporation will do everything within its purview to support management of the museum to actualise its vision of keeping and maintaining railway relics and monuments so as to serve as tourist attraction for visitors and students.
President, Legacy Museum, Mr. Taiye Olaniyi described monuments as “A living reminder of events and miniature encyclopaedia to know whether or not we are moving forward in thought”
He spoke about plans to mark 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Nigeria in 1956, next year adding that plans are in the pipeline to by refurbish the old running shed housing the Coal engine and Coaches used to convey the Queen and her and entourage during the visit through support of well meaning Nigerians
Olaniyi enjoined individuals, corporate bodies and private to support plans to refurbish old running shed including the coal engine and coach used to convey the Queen during her visit to Nigeria, Ilukwe and Jaekel house so as to serve as tourist attraction for students and enthusiasts.
While acknowledging the fact that maintenance of Museums anywhere in the world is capital intensive he averred that people that have passion for keeping monuments should be encouraged to do more.
In her remarks, former president, Legacy museum; the custodian and preserver of relics of Nigerian railway historical monuments, domiciled at the Jaekel House Museum, Princess Kofo Adeleke, advocated for digitisation of archives of the nation’s museums, especially that of the Jaekel house in Lagos.
She noted that this would go a long way in attracting new generation of Nigerian youths and student excursionists to know a lot about the history of railway in Nigeria.
Adeleke eulogized the President of the Lagscy museum, Mr Taiye Olaniyi, for the amount of work he has done to keep the Jaekel House, well maintained, acknowledging the fact that, voluntary work could be very taxing for some people.
High points of the celebration was presentation of certificates of recognition and appreciation to both Individuals and corporate organisations that supported “Legacy” over the years.
Present at the ceremony were Professor Francis Falako from University of Lagos, Gam Solo, former curator British museum/former president of Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAN), museum enthusiast, Dr. Raphael James and curator, national museum Mrs.Nkechi Adeleye
