Nigeria and the U.S. have signed a memorandum of understanding to preserve a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Adamawa.

The MoU, signed on Thursday in Abuja, is for implementing the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation Grant to protect the Sukur Cultural Heritage site in Adamawa.

According to the U.S. chargé d’affaires, David Greene, the project aims to improve the conservation of the cultural heritage of the Sukur Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site through documentation, conservation activities, and improvement of infrastructure.

Mr Greene noted that the United States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs awarded the grant to the Nigerian National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites in Nigeria (ICOMOS-Nigeria).

“This grant will support ICOMOS-Nigeria and its local partners to help preserve Sukur cultural heritage through infrastructure enhancements, revival of threatened traditional crafts, as well as documentation and preservation,” he stated.

The chargé d’affaires applauded Nigeria’s unwavering dedication to the conservation, protection, and preservation of the country’s cultural heritage.

At the signing ceremony, art and culture minister Hannatu Musawa, thanked the U.S. government for its continuous efforts and support toward preserving cultural heritage sites in Nigeria and the 2-year conservation and preservation work in the Sukur Cultural Landscape.

“We are aware that the Sukur cultural site is under imminent threat of insurgency and immediate danger imposed by global climate change. It is in this perilous setting that the USA, ICOMOS and the other partners are venturing, bringing their message of hope and support.

“I thus deemed it imperative to be here today to express the gratitude of the Nigerian government and people to join in with other lovers of nature, heritage and culture in showing our deep appreciation for this laudable effort,” she said.

ICOMOS and the NCMM are anchoring the project under the coordination of Terry Little of Ahmadu Bello University, the American University of Nigeria, Yola and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Other contributors are the Washington State University, the University of Calgary, and the Factum Foundation from the United Kingdom.

(NAN)