By Frank Kintum
Yesterday, Wednesday, April 12, 2023, will remain a day to remember for a long time in the history of the Nigerian Railway Museum (Jeakel House), as two prominent figures were received by Legacy 1995, the historical and environmental Non-Governmental Organisation saddled with the responsibility of maintaining the museum.
The two eminent personalities who visited were Prince Yemisi Shyllon, who is the Grand Patron/Chairman, Supervisory Council of Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Arts, Pan Atlantic University; and Dr. O.M Gansallo, Programme Director, British Museum, London.
While commending the efforts of the Legacy 1995 team, Prince Shyllon nonetheless, advised the team to develop a comprehensive strategic plan and come up with programmes so as to attract more interests to the railway museum.
Prince Shyllon, who came on the visit with his wife, offered to assist the Legacy team in the training of tour guides in order to enhance its efficiency.
According to Dr. Gansallo, the museum should promote education and exhibition programmes, especially using social media and outreach programmes. He also posited that the museum has huge potentials to attract international patronage.
The Vice President, Legacy 1995 team Taiye Olaniyi, led other delighted officials to receive the visitors.
While presenting a souvenir to the two visitors, the Vice President thanked them for finding time to visit the museum and expressed hope that their coming will be the beginning of better tidings for the museum.
The Museum is named after Mr. Francis Jeakel, who came to Nigeria in 1938 and served the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) for 27 years.
In 1991, Professor William John Gilbert Godwin (1928-2023), along with some others, found an interest group for the preservation of historical buildings and sites, which eventually became Legacy, hence, it because a legal entity in 1995.
In 1998, the Nigerian Railway Corporation handed over, in perpetuity, four sites within the Ebute Metta, Lagos compound to a joint NRC/Legacy committee.
