FG Partners VHI on National Monument Development

The Federal Government, through the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), has pledged to collaborate with the Vernacular Heritage Initiative (VHI) to develop and restore national monuments across the country.

The Director-General of NCMM, Olugbile Holloway, made this commitment in Abuja when Dr. Obafemi Olukoya, VHI’s representative, officially handed over the Egbo Egbo Bassey House Project report and model.

The Egbo Egbo Bassey House, designated a National Monument since 1959, has been the subject of detailed architectural documentation and research since March 2024, with funding from Gerda Henkel Stiftung.

Holloway commended the project team for their dedication, expressing appreciation to Olukoya and Gerda Henkel Stiftung for their commitment to preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

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

VHI Presents Monument Report and Model

Presenting the Egbo Egbo Bassey House report and model, Olukoya described the project as a significant milestone in heritage preservation. He referred to the model as “the Bible of Egbo Egbo Bassey House,” highlighting the depth of research and documentation behind it.

He also unveiled a real-life crafted model of the monument, offering the NCMM leadership a tangible representation of the site’s structure and historical importance.

Olukoya further announced that the next phase of restoration work—also funded by Gerda Henkel Stiftung—would commence soon. This phase aims to stabilize and reinforce the monument’s structural integrity, ensuring its long-term preservation.

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

The event at the NCMM headquarters marked a significant moment in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to safeguard its rich historical legacy.