The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, says Bida has become one of the best-selected cities in the world by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).
It has also been designated as a city of crafts and folk arts.
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Abubakar said this in Abuja on Monday at a two-day national workshop on the Implementation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) 1954 Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflicts.
The traditional ruler, who is also the Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers in Niger State said, “Bida became the first city in the country to be accepted as a member of UNESCO Creative Cities Network, and designated as a city of crafts and fork arts.
“This was as a result of the protection of the Bida city’s cultural property, which had survived several armed conflicts dating back from the 11th century to date.
“The city’s traditional institution was able to maintain its respect of cultural property, by not exposing it to destruction or damage in the event of armed conflicts and hostility,’’ Etsu Nupe said.
He said the institution also safeguarded it from theft and vandalism.
Also speaking, Mrs Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, said that the national workshop was to produce a strategic plan for the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflicts. (NAN)
