Relics | Museum Of Colonial History
Looking back, I’m just going to say a trip to Lokoja needs to be done for the culture. Too much history there.
Located on Nos 7, Lugard Road in Lokoja sits the museum of colonial history. It goes without saying that it can be better maintained but let’s just push that aside for a minute. The museum is said to occupy what used to be the site of one of Lord Lugard’s senior staff quarters
Like its name implies, this museum is dedicated to preserving pictures, monuments and artifacts from the colonial era. The great thing about this museum is that the guide had no qualms about us taking pictures and making videos inside unlike the ones I have been to.
Upon entry, it doesn’t look like much and this is honestly because the conditions and state of the grounds are deplorable.
We were also told by the two gentlemen we met there that they don’t open on Sundays and that the keys weren’t there even if they wanted to help us. This confused us because we couldn’t understand why a museum wouldn’t be open on a Sunday and a public holiday at that.
Source – Giphy
However, I realized this decision might have been made because there’s not a lot of people coming to the museum anyway.
After a bit of back and forth, the keys magically appeared and we were allowed to enter after paying a fee of N100 each.
Source – Giphy
The grounds have relics such as a canon, items used during the colonial era on the boats, busts especially those of Lord Lugard and a souvenir shop that was closed too.
Saying hello to Lord Lugard
Inside the museum building itself is a gallery exhibition tagged ‘The Making of Nigeria‘ and its is split into 4 different sections – ‘Pre colonial’, ‘Birth of Nigeria/towards independence’, ‘First Republic/Military Regime’ and ‘Lokoja’.
There was no light when we got in so we had to use our phones as torch lights. Inside the museum is dark with hardly any natural light coming in.
The galleries show the many important faces that shaped Nigeria. From our colonial masters to the military leaders. It also depicts a bit of traditional life before colonization.
L-R: Nnamdi Azikiwe and Tafawa Balewa
The Queen on a visit
Hello Colonial masters
Traditional and much peaceful times.
It was interesting to read and see the many facets that contributed to Nigeria today. However, it was disheartening to see that nothing is being invested in this museum to keep it functional. The museum is a wealth of history and needs to be kept in better conditions.
We hope the government or an individual interested in entering into some partnership with our leaders steps up and does something before everything is lost forever.
I’m almost sure all the leaders who fought for our independence and even our colonial leaders are rolling in their graves at how awful our maintenance culture has become.
Herbert Macaulay
Did you know such a museum existed in Nigeria? If yes, have you visited and what did you think? If you haven’t, do you think you’ll be stopping there while you’re in Lokoja?
*Reviews are based on opinions and personal experiences, and may differ from person to person
*prices written are based on the time the visit was made and is subject to change by the owners.
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