The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has revealed its ongoing partnership with Google towards establishing a Virtual Currency Museum Gallery in Nigeria.
According to CBN’s Deputy Governor, Operations, Mr. Folashodun Shonubi, who disclosed this at the International Museums Day (IMD) celebration in Abuja, on Thursday, with this, members of the public could access the currency museum from the comfort of their homes or anywhere without having to be at the physical museum located in Abuja.
Mr Shonubi further noted that this year’s celebration tagged ‘’Museums, Sustainability and Well-being’’ was designed to link museums in making sure that our environments are sustained globally to make the world a better place. He made the following remarks:
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“Thanks to technology, the Central Bank of Nigeria Currency Museum is working in collaboration with Google and our in-house Information Technology Department (|TD) establish a Virtual Reality Museum.
“This is an approach to connect with the global world for the public to sit back and relax within their comfort zone and view the artifacts on display.”
Also speaking at the event, the Director, Currency Operations of the CBN, Mr. Ahmed Umar said that museums’ vast collections offer almost infinite opportunities to share with visitors, “the ways in which the past informs the present and how the issues of the present can make the past relevant again.”
Mr. Umar added, “Works of art can speak so eloquently about what makes us human, what connects and divides us, what inspires and provokes us and how vital the impulse to make and create has always been across time and geographic boundaries. I believe this kind of perspective is one of the deep-seated needs of our society.
“Museums play an important role in the society.
“Technology has helped Museums in reaching beyond core audience to new publics. This has been shown in digitalization of collections, virtual tours or something as simple as a hashtag that allows visitors to share their experiences on social media.”
Umar also stressed on how the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated an accelerated digital transitioning of the sector, stating the pandemic served as a catalyst for crucial innovations that have led to increased focus on digitization and the creation of new forms of cultural experience and dissemination.
“COVID-19 has provided a pivotal moment for our society, and we call on all Museums to embrace it and lead the change.
“The time is neigh to rethink our relationships with the communities we serve, to experiment with new and hybrid models of cultural fruition and to strongly reaffirm the essential value of museums for the construction of a just and sustainable future” Umar said.