By Okechukwu Obeta
The Vice president, Professor Yemi Osibanjo is expected today in ancient Nri kingdom, Anaocha local government area of Anambra state to commission the Odinani museum which houses about 10,000 Igbo traditional artifacts.
Built several years ago by the late renowned archeologist, Prof. Michael Angulu Onwuejeogwu, who hailed from Ogwuashiukwu in Delta state, among the artifacts in the museum include, 17th century wooden door, sacred python, pre-colonial legal tenders, and a wooden Royal gong called ‘Ekwe Ikolo’ which is over 500 years old.
The museum became dilapidated and the people of Nri town had made several appeals to both the Anambra state and federal governments to rehabilitate it, but no response came until one of the illustrious sons of the town, Mr. Charles Tabansi undertook its rehabilitation.
When LEADERSHIP Friday visited the ancient town the people were in high spirit awaiting Osibanjo’s to come and unveil the museum.
Chairman of Nri Stakeholders Forum, Hon. Chijioke Ifeka said the artifacts in the museum have recorded over 500 years in existence contrary to false claims of other Igbo communities of having similar custodianship of such materials.
According to him, ” This museum has the contribution of a white man, Nouchcot Thomas who excavated some antiquities at Igbo-ukwu. Historically, the excavation spot is said to be the place occupied by Ora Eri people who migrated from Nri and settled there.
” We are going to gain a lot from the unveiling because our history was drastically going off from the map of the world. This will as well re-unite Nri people due to the assemblage of relics of past monarchs from different quarters of the Kingdom in the museum. “
Also speaking, the General Overseer of Liberation Temple of Absolute God, Dr. Ramas Asuzu described the Odinani museum was different from other museums because of practical academic experiments it renders to virtually all tertiary institutions in the country.
Asuzu advised Nri people to be mindful of what God has given them and always project Igbo culture and tradition jealously than being more Catholic than the Pope.