A Visit to the National Museum – An Exciting Learning Experience

Introduction – The Odaibo Family’s Trip to the Museum

Bayo, Mofe, and Dafe were three curious brothers who loved discovering new things. They had read about Nigerian history in school, but they had never seen real ancient artifacts, sculptures, or relics.

One bright Saturday morning, their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Odaibo, surprised them with some exciting news:

“Today, we are visiting the National Museum in Lagos!”

The boys jumped in excitement. They had heard stories about the museum from their teachers but had never been there.

“Will we see real treasures?” asked Dafe, the youngest.

“Of course!” replied their mother. “You will see ancient bronze statues, royal crowns, and even the famous Festac Mask!”

The family quickly got ready and set out for their adventure into history.

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What is a Museum?

A museum is a special building where important objects from the past are displayed for people to learn from. Museums help us understand:

✔ History – How people lived in the past.
✔ Culture – Traditions, festivals, and ways of life.
✔ Science – How inventions and technology have changed.

There are different types of museums:

• History Museums – Display items from the past (e.g., National Museum Lagos).
• Science Museums – Show inventions and discoveries (e.g., Science and Tech Museum Abuja).
• Art Museums – Exhibit paintings and sculptures (e.g., Nike Art Gallery, Lagos).

The National Museum Lagos, built in 1957, is one of the most important museums in Nigeria. It contains:

✔ The Benin Bronzes – Ancient metal sculptures from the Benin Kingdom.
✔ The Festac Mask – A famous ivory mask from the Ife Kingdom.
✔ Murtala Mohammed’s bullet-riddled car – From Nigeria’s 1976 political history.

The museum is managed by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM). You can learn more at ncmm.gov.ng.

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The Odaibo Family’s Tour of the National Museum

As soon as the family arrived, a friendly tour guide welcomed them and explained the museum rules:

❌ Do not touch artifacts (they are delicate).
📸 No flash photography (it can damage old paintings).
🤫 Keep voices low (so others can learn too).

Now, their adventure began!

1. The Ancient Kingdoms Section

The family walked into a grand hall filled with artifacts from Nigeria’s great kingdoms:

• Benin Empire – Famous for its bronze artworks.
• Oyo Empire – Known for its powerful warriors and cavalry.
• Ife Kingdom – Celebrated for its terracotta sculptures.

Bayo gasped when he saw the Benin Bronzes. “How did they make these sculptures without modern tools?”

The guide explained: “Ancient blacksmiths melted metals over fire and used clay molds. This technique was passed down for generations.”

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2. Traditional Nigerian Cultures

The next section showcased the diverse traditions of Nigeria’s tribes:

🎵 Yoruba talking drums – Used to send messages across villages.
👺 Igbo masquerade costumes – Worn during cultural festivals.
👜 Hausa leatherworks – Beautifully decorated items made from animal skin.

Mofe stared in awe at the Ekpe masquerade mask. “Do people still wear these today?”

The guide nodded. “Yes! Masquerades are an important part of Nigerian festivals, like the Eyo Festival in Lagos and the New Yam Festival in Igboland.”

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3. Nigerian History and Politics

This section contained important objects from Nigeria’s political history:

🚗 Murtala Mohammed’s bullet-riddled car – A reminder of Nigeria’s 1976 political crisis.
💰 Old Nigerian currency (pounds and kobo) – Used before the Naira.
📜 Photos of Nigeria’s past leaders – From Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Dafe pointed at an old black-and-white photo. “Why is everything not in color?”

His father smiled. “Because cameras in those days didn’t have color film.”

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Why Are Museums Important?

Museums help us:

📚 Learn from history – Avoid repeating mistakes.
🖼 Appreciate culture – Understand traditions and beliefs.
🔬 Explore science and technology – See how things have evolved.

Before leaving, the family bought a mini Benin Bronze statue as a souvenir.

As they drove home, they stopped at Sweet Sensation for snacks. It was a day they would never forget!

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Comprehension Questions (Answer in Full Sentences)

1. Why were the Odaibo brothers excited about visiting the museum?
2. Name three things they saw at the museum.
3. Why is visiting a museum important?
4. What does the museum teach about Nigeria’s history?
5. What is the name of the famous mask in the museum?

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English Grammar – Fill in the Blanks

Choose the correct option (a, b, c, or d):

1. The bag is ______ the chair.

   • (a) On
   • (b) In
   • (c) Under
   • (d) At

2. We will go ______ the park.

   • (a) To
   • (b) On
   • (c) At
   • (d) In

3. The book belongs ______ me.

   • (a) At
   • (b) To
   • (c) In
   • (d) Under

4. Verbs describe an ______.

   • (a) Action
   • (b) Noun
   • (c) Adjective
   • (d) Pronoun

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Short Composition (10 Marks) – My Dream Museum

Describe the museum you would love to visit:

• What will it be called?
• What kind of objects will it have?
• Why do you want to visit it?

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Bonus Activity – Plan Your Own Museum Trip!

• Have you visited a museum before?
• If you could visit any museum in the world, which one would it be?
• What would you like to see?

Encourage students to draw or write about their dream museum visit!

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