Key stakeholders on Thursday met in Calabar to advance plans for the restoration of the historic Chief Egbo Egbo Bassey House, a revered Efik monument and one of Cross River State’s most enduring symbols of cultural heritage.
The meeting, held at the Old Residency Museum, brought together officials from the Cross River State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), traditional rulers, heritage conservation experts, architects, historians and community representatives. Discussions focused on safeguarding the monument’s original architectural identity while adapting it for sustainable use in contemporary times.
Speaking at the meeting, Mrs. Eme Affiah, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, described the Chief Egbo Egbo Bassey House as a powerful expression of Efik history and identity. She noted that Cross River State remains “a port of history,” where its landmarks and waterways narrate the story of its people.
Affiah reaffirmed the commitment of the Cross River State Government, under the leadership of Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, to the preservation of heritage sites across the state. She said the restoration of the historic Efik monument aligns with broader efforts to promote cultural tourism, deepen historical education and strengthen community pride.
According to her, the project is expected to boost tourism, preserve invaluable history for future generations and reposition the monument as a centre for learning and cultural exchange.
Earlier, the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mr. Olugbile Holloway, represented by Mrs. Garba Haruna, disclosed that the restoration initiative is being funded by Gerda Henkel Stiftung of Germany, in collaboration with the Vernacular Heritage Initiative and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments.
Haruna said the meeting underscored a shared commitment to heritage preservation, describing the Chief Egbo Egbo Bassey House as more than an ancestral residence but a living testimony to the traditions, values and social fabric of the Efik people.
She added that restoring the monument represents a deliberate effort to safeguard cultural identity for future generations, while also creating opportunities for collaboration, innovation and expanded community engagement.
The meeting concluded with a presentation of the proposed architectural restoration design by Dr. Obafemi Olukoya, after which stakeholders and participants were taken on a guided tour of the historic house slated for renovation.
Carolyn Ugbor
