By Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju
Mrs Oriyomi Otuka, the Curator of National Museum of Unity, Ibadan, said that no fewer than 5,020 visitors visited the museum in the first quarter of the year.
Otuka who said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Ibadan, said that the number of visitors received in the first quarter was not impressive.
She said that out of the number of visitors received, 11 were foreigners, while 4,008 were Nigerian students.
According to her, the museum received 1,195 visitors in January, while in February it received 1,306 and in March 2,519.
She said although the numbers were not what they would have wanted; they were however impressed that it kept increasing monthly.
“Looking at the figures from January to March, you will agree with me that it keeps getting better each month, and we are impressed.
“If we keep reaching out to the people, we are sure we are going to double the total of the first quarter, God willing.
“Usually everyone sees January as a dull period for business, and the Museum is not left out; that’s why we had just a little above 1,000 visitors.
“In February and March, the total number of visitors, especially the school children, increased. We are expecting many more school children and adults in the next quarter,” she said.
The Curator added that plans were ongoing to create more awareness for the museum.
“We are making museum visits interactive. We are attracting tourists both within and outside Ibadan with an online events calendar. We are promoting local attractions and local events,” she said.
Otuka said that hosting a festival to attract tourists and art lovers all over Nigeria was also in the pipeline.
NAN reports that Museums are institutions that acquire, preserve, interpret, and exhibit artifacts of artistic, cultural, scientific, and historical importance. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Deborah Coker/Joseph Edeh
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