Date: 2016-08-02

The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Ilorin, has unveiled a museum to commemorate 40 years of existence and preserve its history for coming generations. General Manager of the station, Adetunji Majeed, made this known at a news conference on the activities marking the 40 years in Ilorin on Monday.

"We have no culture of keeping today for tomorrow. The legacy that we want to leave behind with this museum is that of when television started in Nigeria", the GM said. According to the GM, the NTA Ilorin Museum will keep important archival materials for the future generations of Nigerians.

"If we fail to keep today for those that are coming behind us, they will blame us, hence the putting up of the museum", Adetunji added. He said the museum will not only preserve broadcasting materials, but also have Nigerian history in pictures on display.

"We are not just talking about broadcast in the museum; we are talking about history of Nigeria as a whole. "We have the pictures of past Nigerian leaders from lord Lugard, other colonial rulers and Nigerian past and present rulers and past governors of Kwara on display", he said.

The GM said the intention of the museum was to help the younger ones as they don't teach History in schools again; adding that the museum will serve as data bank on Nigeria history.

"The museum, for me is a landmark, our intention is to preserve materials and documents for generations yet unborn", he added. The Chairman of the Anniversary Committee, Mr Ray Yusuf, said as part of the activities marking the 40 years, a symposium will take place on Tuesday featuring two speakers.

He said the former Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, Mr Yomi Bolarinwa, will speak on "Digitalization and its implication on NTA."

Yusuf also said Dr Bola Omoleso of the Al Hikman University was billed to speak on "Effective Television and Nation Building." According to the anniversary chairman, the anniversary is both for celebration and paying tributes to former staff for making the station what it is.

Yusuf said award of excellence will be conferred on eminent personalities at the grand finale on Saturday.

The recipients of the awards, Yusuf said would include first Governor of Kwara, retired Brig.-Gen David Bamgboye, the 9th Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji SuluKanaini Gambari and late Dr Olusola Saraki.

Others are Chief Yemi Oyeyemi, Mr Jide Awoniyi and Peter Olowo, former GM of the station.