The Enugu Curator of the National Museum of Unity, Mr Aloysius Duru, has urged Nigerians to cherish and patronise historical sites and monuments across the country.

Duru made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, on the significance of the World Day for Monuments and Sites.

NAN reports that the World Monuments and Sites Day is celebrated every April 18, to highlight the importance of preserving cultural heritage, historical sites and monuments globally.

The day celebrates the unique and diverse cultural heritages across the world and encourages people to appreciate and safeguard it for future generations.

Duru said there was need for Nigerians to cherish and patronise the nation’s unique monuments and sites like buildings, caves and other tourist sites.

“As we celebrate World Monuments Day, I want people to bring out those unique monuments and sites in their places for the world to see.

“You could make economic gain from it as people come from different countries to see them and spend money on them,” he said.

The curator expressed concern that the only national monument in Enugu State, the Odo Okoro Palace in Ukehe, has been abandoned and neglected.

“The museum was declared national monument in 1965,” he said, adding that two other sites in the state are on the list waiting to be declared national monuments.

“They are the Colliery and Eastern House of Assembly and by the time we patronise these places, we are appreciating the efforts and ingenuity in building and maintaining them.

“We have different tourist sites in Enugu state such as Ezeagu Tourist Centre that could be developed and harnessed,” he added.

The curator, however, said that the Enugu State Government was not doing enough in preserving, protecting and revamping its numerous tourist sites and monuments.

“Some states celebrate one festival while others try to preserve their cultural heritages while here we allow them to die.

“They should embrace these things and develop them to generate revenue,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria