By Ibrahim Umar & Kasim Isa
A call has been made for the imperative of preserving and restoring the old historic objects especially in North East Nigeria because they are the reflection of a people’s history.
The call was made in Damaturu Yobe State at a workshop on reporting historical sites and monuments organized by Kanem Press Digital Hub and Partners, where no fewer than 73 young journalists were trained.
The Curator of the National Museum and Monument Mr Mamza Ralph who made the imperative, explained that monuments help to understand and respect people who lived in different eras with different habits and traditions.
According to him, the existence of monuments also helps to observe the changes in the societies for a better understanding of the reasons that lead to the development of cities and societies and even traditions to the present.
He however expressed dissatisfaction on how the Dufuna canoe (the oldest historic object in Africa) located in Dufuna village of Yobe State is treated.
He therefore thanked Kaneem press for organizing such memorable training and urged its facilitator to seek for government intervention in respecting and protecting reviving and restoring cultural heritage.
Another speaker Dr Adam Kolo of department of Mass Communication University of Maiduguri explained the role of communication in reviving cultural heritage because it is the privileged vehicle for spreading information, knowledge and understanding.
He explained that it could represent a tool for improving access to cultural resources, facilitate the recognition of heritage values by collectivity and the need for wider and extended protection.
He added that community leaders, traditional and religious institution have strategic roles to play in restoring and reviving historical monument in Lake chad region particularly
Preservation and Promotion of the Dufuna Canoe Historical Artefact and role for social and behavioural change communication and the Media in Yobe and Borno States.
In his opening remarks, the workshop facilitator and President of Kanem Press Digital Hub, Zanna Ibrahim Mustapha also explained the importance of reporting historical sites and monument and the opportunites as he said sufficient number of cultural monuments and their good
condition are one of prerequisites for the development of tourism and for the interest of tourists in particular destinations and regions.
According to him, the training was aimed at widening people’s understanstanding about how to report historical monument and opprtunities availabale in the Lake Chad region.
He thanked Yobe State government, MacArthur foundation and Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism for their support and necessary assistance during the course of the training.
Another speaker, and director history and culture Yobe State Adamu Talba Lawan highlighted to the participants on how to report historical monumment and future opportunies in Lake Chad region.
According to him, historical reporting makes it feasible to analyze a wider range of variables, granting improved insight into what’s happening across our societies.
He further explained the three methods of reporting historical monuments which are written reporting, Graphics reporting and Oral reporting noting that written reporting is most popular mode, because it could kept as legal records and as reference sources, while graphics reports may be presented in the form of charts, diagrams and pictures.
He explained to the participants that a combination of written, graphic and oral reporting may be useful for effective and efficient reporting in an organization or any historic settings.
Other speakers including Dr Kyari Grema, Alhaji Modu Bukar who is the Director Arts and Culture Yobe State, and Director remedial studies Yobe State University shared their views on reporting historical monument and future opportunities.
All the six resource persons unanimously agreed that history is the reason for human existence and the purpose of history is revisiting the past, use what is learnt from the past to adjust the present and plan for a better future.
