FG to partner with Vernacular Heritage Initiative to preserve national monuments

The Federal Government, through the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), has committed to working with the Vernacular Heritage Initiative (VHI) to enhance the preservation of national monuments across the country.

This commitment was made by the Director-General of NCMM, Olugbile Holloway, when he received the project reports and model of the Egbo Egbo Bassey House from VHI representative Dr. Obafemi Olukoya in Abuja on Tuesday.

The Egbo Egbo Bassey House, designated a National Monument in 1959, has undergone detailed architectural documentation and research since March 2024, supported by funding from Gerda Henkel Stiftung.

Commending the efforts of the VHI team, Holloway praised Olukoya and acknowledged Henkel Stiftung’s dedication to preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

“The work done here is nothing short of remarkable,” he said. “It is our hope that this partnership will endure for many years to come so that more heritage sites across Nigeria can receive the attention and restoration they truly deserve.”

While presenting the report and model, Olukoya emphasized the project’s importance in safeguarding one of Nigeria’s treasured heritage sites.

He described the model as “the Bible of Egbo Egbo Bassey House,” highlighting the extensive research and documentation involved. Additionally, he unveiled a detailed real-life model of the monument, offering a tangible representation of its historical and architectural significance.

Expressing gratitude to Gerda Henkel Stiftung for its financial and technical support, Olukoya informed the commission of the successful application for stabilizing the structure—an essential next step in ensuring its long-term preservation.

He also announced that his team would travel to the project site on Tuesday to begin the next phase of restoration, also funded by Gerda Henkel Stiftung.

“This next step promises to reinforce the site’s historical and architectural significance while paving the way for future conservation efforts.

“As the team gears up to commence the next phase of work at the Egbo Egbo Bassey House, the event at the NCMM headquarters stands as a defining moment in the journey toward safeguarding Nigeria’s rich historical legacy,” Olukoya added.