The
persuasive nature of museum education programme in times past has been
misconceived in Africa and in Nigeria to be precise and hence approach to
tourism has been neglected and unimportantly adopted in the recent plans of the
country. Until the invading of British government, Nigeria have appreciated and
held their culture in high esteem but since civilization or independence,
museum education have been accorded lower priority in the current scheme
of events. This is as a result of
excessive borrowing of culture. However, much progress has been made since the
modernization of museum, which houses our cultural heritage to embrace special
areas such as the cradle of civilization in Nigeria. To a considerable extent,
museum education promote tourism and tourism industries as seen especially in
countries that look into and plan objectively for economic earner, no matter
what their manufacturing mineral or agricultural resources may be. Thus museum
collections were and still remain the cradle of systematic tourism development.
Museum education programmes is an important
center where the past and the present cultures of our people can be
viewed. In other words, archaeology and
anthropology instead of taking us to their fields to present to us their
findings can (may) reach us through museum education of their findings. The
education programme is a very important institution for portraying the culture
of a place and it is vital for developing cultural tourism. All over the world,
museum education programme is the single important point where tourist may
first show their appearance. It is also a place where at a glance the culture
of the people is viewed. Museum education whether permanent or temporary always
attract large numbers of people who want to learn and know more about the world
around them, when tourist and general public are educated on the need to
inculcate a tourism-culture among Nigerians by introducing tourism education in
our various schools and among the general public. Both formal and informal
method can be used in this regard. A tourism- culture, when embraced could help
broaden the people’s horizon about tourism and its benefits. It will also
enable them to play a stewardship role over their cultural/ archaeological
heritage. However, museum education provides relevance information to intending
tourist, peoples way of life and their believe system. By these they will be
acquainted on the doe’s and dons of the host community. When tourist visit the
host community they contribute to the development of the destination visited,
these can be through increase in economy, social way of life and
infrastructural development. In addition, through museum education programmes,
museum helps to ensure the preservation and conservation of the communities
cultural and natural heritage, also they offer facilities for cultural events
and activities. Such activities go a long way in developing tourism within the
area and can also enhance the quality of people’s lives, through making them to
have a sense of identity for the area for which they are located. “Museum a
place that tells man who he is, where he came from, and what he does”
BY
JOHNPAUL EZEANI
Ezeanij@gmail.com
Travel & Tourism Consultant
Enugu State Tourism Board
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