Two Cross Riverians, foremost entrepreneur, Bassey Ndem and former governor, Donald Duke, were among 11 eminent Nigerians honoured in Abuja as “Cultural Ambassadors” by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments in commemoration of the 2021 World Museums Day.
The awardees who included three serving governors, Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Yahaya Adoza Bello of Kogi and Samuel Ortom of Benue as well as former governors Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state and Donald Duke, among others, afforded the Commission an opportunity to express her formal recognition of the contributions of these awardees to the growth and sustainability of museums in the country.
Bassey Ndem who spoke to www.calitown.com shortly after the event, said he was humbled by this recognition and promised to do more as a deliberate personal effort to help preserve museums and the country’s heritage housed in them.
Each year since 1977, the International Museum Day is commemorated to help raise awareness about the fact that, “Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.” The country has more than 30 museums and galleries, spread throughout the country.
