>
By Emmanuel Adeleke
Lawmaker representing Ibadan North East/South East Federal Constituency, Honourable Abass Adigun, aka Agboworin, has moved a motion on the need to declare some historical monuments in Oyo State as national monuments.
This was contained in a statement issued by his Director of Communication and Media, Ibraheem Aremu.
According to the statement, Agboworin said the heritage endowments such as traditional, unique streetscapes and historic sites are viable economic resources in both developed and developing countries.
The lawmaker explained that one of the functions of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) is to manage and preserve national museums, antiquities and monuments and to oversee the process of declaring antiquities and monuments as national antiquities and monuments.
Agboworin noted that improving the conservation and management of the heritage is not only for the preservation of its historic significance, but also increases its income-earning potential, community livability and competitiveness.
He said the conservation and preservation of cultural and natural heritage sites are of paramount importance in attracting local, national or international tourism and investment through its beauty and distinction, thus increasing the income-generation capacity of the state.
“Aware that Oyo State is endowed with enormous and diversified heritage sites, like the Alaafin’s Palace, Oyo; Soun’s Palace, Ogbomoso; Sogidi Lake, Awe; Kurunmi battleground, ijaye; Asabari hills, Saki; Agbele rock formation, Igbeti; Ado Awaye suspended lake; Royal forest (Igbo oba); Mapo Hall; David Hinderer’s House; Bower’s tower, Agbaku Cave and Irefin Palace.
“Oyo State has none out of the 65 national monuments in Nigeria, hence the inability of the state to contribute to the rich national and world heritage, leaving the sites abandoned,” the lawmaker said.
He urged the NCMM to set machinery in place to declare at least three of the historical monuments in Oyo State as national monuments.
Agboworin also urged the committee on legislative compliance to ensure that the motion moved was adopted and referred to committee on culture and tourism.