Hope Wadell Training Institution, Calabar, one of Nigeria’s oldest secondary schools and National Commission for Museums and Monument (NCMM) have established a museum and Hall of Fame in the school’s premises.
The museum was unveiled by Mr Efio-Ita Ephraim, the President, Hope Wadell Old Students Association (HWOSA) and the leadership of Slave History Museum, Calabar, on Thursday in Calabar.
It has the picture of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe among other distinguished personalities who passed through it.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the institution was established in 1895 after CMS Grammar School, 1859; Methodist Boys High School, 1878 and Baptist Academy,1885 all in Lagos.
Mrs Joy Ufumaka, Curator, Slave History Museum, Calabar told NAN that the structure which held the museum was made from Mahogany and prefabricated over 100 years ago from Scotland.
She said that the museum had always had a good relationship with Hope Wadell which resulted in the earlier declaration of the building as a national monument by NCMM.
Ufumaka said they aligned with the institution’s desire for a museum and exhibition to produce the befitting museum.
“Normally, before you build a museum and have an exhibition, you need professional hands from the museum; this is where NCMM comes in.
“We have given them the techniques on how to preserve the structure to enable it to stand for over 100 years,” she said.
The curator used the opportunity to encourage institutions with relics and artifacts to come to the museum for assistance.
“They will be taught how to preserve and exhibit what they have,” she said.
Earlier, Ephraim said that although the museum was yet to be filled up with artifacts, they would place adverts to encourage people to donate cultural and historical relevant artifacts to beef it up.
He said that many old boys of the institution have artifacts, documents and pictures that would help the museum.
The HWOSA president added that with the help of stakeholders and partners, the institution would be able to maintain the museum structure for the present and future generations.