Uduma Kalu
18 December 2008
Lagos — The National Commission for Museums and Monuments has demolished the gallery holding the bullet-ridden car in which Gen. Muritala Mohammed was assissinated on February 13, 1976.
The gallery, according to Dr. Joseph Eboreime, Director General of the Commission at commission's media interaction session with journalists yesterday at its premises, said the gallery was not only unsafe for thousands of children who enjoy learning about their government leaders but was a threat to the safe-keeping of the historic automobile.
However, the automobile is now stored at a temporary location at the museum but can only be viewed as a pre-scheduled tour and during special events hosted by the museum, the DG said.
Eboreime went on to say that the structure, along with a vacant administration building, was demolished by the Minister of Culture through the DG's office.
Saying that the Lagos museum last year hosted over 87, 000 visitors including school children, families, tourists, researchers and groups organised by local tour operators, the DG pointed out that the commission needs funding to build a proper exhibition gallery for the car.
The DG also said that the Lagos museum which was established in 1957 has 41,000 objects of antiquity and over 10,000 masks as well as 9,87 books.
Other areas the DG said the commission needed assistance include computers and desks, creative support to develop its web site, air conditioners, printers, staff reading room, journals, book shelves, museum exhibition catalogues and publication, funding to develop small touring exhibitions.
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