The Ibadan UnityMuseum has,once again, reiterated its commitment to further boosting traffic to the museum, as it played host to representatives from five local government councils in Ibadan, who slugged it out at the second edition of the traditional games.The traditional games, which include Ayo olopon and draught were introduced last year to revive some of the sensitive cultural pastime of the old thus encouraging the public to visit, appreciate and identify with the unique collections at the museum.At every segment of the programme, the event took all and sundry at the venue down the memory lane, as everyone at the hall had one or two lessons to gain from the performance of students of Saint Catherine Aleshinloye, Ibadan, which brought originality to life as they literally added glamour through a 25-minute dance drama blended with folk songs and core cultural lyrics.Other schools which identified with the year's edition of the traditional game were Fowler International school, Eleyele and Community Grammar School, Elewura, Challenge.The Ayo Olopon and draught games competition were among the Ibadan South-west, Norht-East, North and Oluyole Local Government council.Also the winner of the last year's Ayo olopon and draught games, who was a guest of honour at the just-concluded museum traditional games, used the opportunity to educate participants on the science and genesis of draft and Ayo Olopon cultural pastime games.Speaking at the event, the Curator, National Museum of Unity, Ibadan, Mrs. Kola Irei-Goerge, thanked the International Distillers Limited (IDL) for its second year sponsorship of the event as a loyal corporate sponsor, adding that the supportive bid golden as it has strengthened the collective efforts to revive the heritage of the people.'The synergy between the museum and the IDL will not only revive, develop and promote our culture but also help the development of Nigeria as a great nation.'According to Ireti-Goerge, 'Though the museum is grossly underutilised, even when it was stocked with one of the most unique collections of dance, music, pottery, people did not seems to know the import and how it related with the past and future.'The permanent exhibition of art and antiquities is to relate the past and the present in order to protect our culture identity and heritage for the future generations to a see and appreciate.'We are doing everything within our ambit to see that we direct a sizeable traffic to the museum weekly. All efforts are channelled at making them understand that the museum belong to the people, which informs the museum being brought closer to the people.'Ireti-George added that the Federal Government, in its effort to add attraction to museum to make it activitive-driven, added a children play park, new kitchen, ICT centre and an access road, to the facility.
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