FELIX JEREMIAH, YENAGOA
The Bayelsa State Government has affirmed its commitment to make
judicious and optimal use of the Underwater Cultural Research and
Imaging Centre to be established in Yenagoa, the State capital.
Governor Seriake Dickson, who stated this at the first Africa Regional
Meeting on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage in
Yenagoa, expressed appreciation to United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization( UNESCO ) for approving the
sitting of the centre in the State, noting that it will not only be
beneficial to Bayelsans and Nigerians, but Africans in general.
Represented by the State Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National
Affairs, Dr. Felix Tuodolor, the Governor said the facility, when
fully operational, will be the hub of underwater research activities
in Africa.
According to him, the centre will equally support the efforts of
Governments at building the capacity of youths in rare areas of
underwater archeology, research and bio-technology as well as scuba
diving and imaging.
He noted with delight that, the Nigerian Navy, construction companies
in the Niger Delta, oil exploration companies, the Tourism, Fishing
and Maritime Industries among others will all benefit tremendously
from the services that the centre will offer through the utilization
of the services of youths that are going to benefit from the various
training programmes.
“That is why we can safely deduce that, all these efforts will put
Bayelsa State in particular and the nation, in a pivotal position, in
underwater heritage preservation practice globally, generate
employment, create wealth and engender mutual respect among of states
and nations”
Gov. Dickson recalled that the State has recently hosted a number of
national and international events with the most recent being the World
Tourism Day 2013, which he noted was a clear demonstration of the
unwavering commitment of the State to promoting culture and tourism
related activities globally.
Acknowledging the importance of underwater cultural heritage as an
integral part of the cultural heritage of humanity, Hon. Dickson noted
that, cooperation among States, international and professional
organizations, science based institutions, archeologists, diverse as
well as other relevant bodies and groups were essential components for
the protection of underwater cultural heritage.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National
Orientation, High Chief Edem Duke expressed the need to strengthen the
collaboration with UNESCO to foster unity and brotherhood among member
countries of the organisation.
While noting that the African continent boasts long standing
archeological craft and sites as compared to those of the ancient
Greeks and the Romans, the minister said the third oldest water craft
in the world and the first in Africa, was discovered in Nigeria in
1987.
Chief Duke called on UNESCO, other relevant agencies, archeologists
and experts to ensure the security and proper documentation of such
underwater crafts for posterity.
He commended Bayelsa State for its rich coastal ambiance noting that
the State’s hosting of the first Africa Regional Meeting on the
Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage and the proposed
sitting of the Research and Imaging Centre in the state were steps in
the right direction.
The minister called on other member African countries to hasten their
commitments by ratifying the UNESCO 2001 Convention on the protection
of the underwater cultural heritage to boost tourism, stop the
plundering and destruction of underwater cultural heritage, create
wealth and employment opportunities and research among others.
In a goodwill message, the Director, UNESCO Nigeria Regional Office
represented by Mr. Roland Kayanja disclosed that 45 countries have
ratified the 2001 convention, while commending Nigeria for being the
first African state to sign the agreement.
