Warri, Nigeria – The Warri Kingdom Royal Cemetery in Ijala joined the global community in celebrating International Monuments and Sites Day on April 18th.
The Nanna Living History Museum’s Management Board and the Committee for the Restoration and Conservation of the Warri Kingdom Royal Cemetery co-hosted the event. The Sir Henry Erikowa-led board honoured distinguished figures who contributed to securing national monument status for both the Warri Kingdom Royal Cemetery and the Nanna Living History Museum.
Awardees included former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Mofe Damijo, and the late Dr. Joe Eboreime, former Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM).
Comr. Ikhuehi Omonkhua, representing the NCMM’s Director-General, Mr. Olugbile Halloway, emphasized the importance of preserving and protecting the site. He urged the Delta State Governor, illustrious sons and daughters of Warri, to develop the Cemetery to UNESCO standards to enhance the state’s tourism potential.
Omonkhua lamented the current state of the monuments despite Delta boasting two heritage sites.
The day’s activities included planting trees in honour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, former Governor Uduaghan, Dr. Darlington Ijeh, the Culture and Tourism Commissioner, and the awardees.
The Warri Kingdom Royal Cemetery is the final resting place of the kingdom’s past 20 kings, dating back to Olu Ginuwa in the 1400s.