By Umogbai Yemisi

The need for peaceful co-existence in the society cannot be overemphasized. The evolution of the Nigerian State since its amalgamation in 1914 has been characterized by a post independence bitter civil war, intermittent post-independence and inter/intra ethnic, socio-religious skirmishes.
The net effect of this socio-religious violence on the peaceful coexistence of the nation has been calamitous, to say the least. The search for peaceful coexistence of the Nigerian people is, thus, better appreciated against the foregoing background.
The Nigerian Museum should thus assume a new role amidst the numerous socio-economic cum political problems prevalent in the country by becoming an instrument for addressing important issues both for and with the people. One of such issues, which is how the Museum can use cohesive peaceful co-existence among the people, forms the thrust of this paper.
Isolated examples though, abound of how Museums have striven to solve societal problems. The one that readily comes to mind took place in Anacostia, New York in the USA, where an exhibition was staged to showcase how proper sanitation could eradicate the menace of rat infestation in the predominantly black community. The Exhibition achieved its purpose.
Collections of cultural artifacts refer to the totality of objects of cultural value and natural history specimens in a museum. Collection is the starting point of any museum activity, hence the saying; no collection, no Museum.
The nature of the Museum has been changing through time, in response to the sociopolitical mood of the various periods of its evolution. From the classical period to modern times when the Museum transformed from an academic/dynastic into a public transformed, it has since donned a new toga of an omnibus multi-disciplinary institution which serves the society in diverse ways. Collections of items in the Museum is regarded as a means to an end; the end being the education and satisfaction of the society.
Through exhibitions, the Museum can aid the quick actualisation of the much desired peace among the various ethnic groups. For instance, the Museum can organise community – based mobile exhibitions among the people and community–based groups. This will be at the grassroots level. In such exhibitions, artefacts which are representative of the people that make up that area should be put on display. There should however be a balance in aesthetics among the exhibits such that the collection from one ethnic group would not be seen as superior to or more beautiful than others. Backed by an aggressive awareness campaign, such an exhibition will raise the consciousness of the people towards appreciating the culture of their fellow brothers thus achieving unity in diversity. This should, in turn, lead to the complete elimination of the kind of strife that once characterized the relationship between such towns as Ife and Modakeke in Osun State, and that of the Tiv and Jukun people of Benue and Taraba States respectively.
Secondly, the exhibition will expose the people to certain similarities in style among the collections of, especially, contiguous communities thus making them realize the futility in fighting one another since they are the same as their neighbours. A case in the similarity in the Art styles of Owo, Ife and Benin objects. Such an exhibition should be, replicated on a macro scale at the National Level where representative objects from some parts of the country would be featured.
Exhibitions could also be staged to highlight the similarities in essence among the major religions in the country. Such displays will down play the perceived differences in belief and downplay system among the adherents and thus douse the flame of hatred that keeps engulfing the polity every now and then. Through such exhibitions, religion will be prevented.
In addition to exhibitions, the School Collection could be used to teach our impres the signable and pliable younger generation to appreciate other people’s cultures. This can be achieved by employing objects and cultures of the ethnic balance of particular schools to emphasize the point. This should be done because children are the future beneficiaries of our national and natural patrimony. As such, by inculcating into them the virtue of unity in diversity, the Education Officer will be helping to guarantee peaceful living among these leaders and owners of a future Nigeria.
Furthermore, publications of research findings on the study collections in a museum should be widely circulated to educate people about their history through the objects. Such publications should be based on research of a comparative nature which would embody analyses of the strengths, beauty, and similarities that exist among Nigerian objects,
Umoghai writes from the National Museum, Akure.