ICCROM is saddened to report the death Dr Omotoso Eluyemi, Director of the National Commission Museums and Monuments of Nigeria. He passed away on 18 February 2006 at the age of 58.

Dr Omotoso was a man of several titles: Chief of Ife, the Apena of Ife, the Okaomee of Igboukwu and many others. Most of his professional colleagues referred to him as Chief Omotoso. Chief Omotoso was Chairman of the AFRICA 2009 Steering Committee from 2004 to 2005. In the committee, and indeed throughout his professional life, the Chief sought to champion the promotion of Africa cultural heritage in all its facets. He taught the young that there was everything to be proud of in Africa's heritage.

He was a distinguished scholar, writer and an accomplished orator. He worked for several years as the head of archaeology at the University of Obafeme Awolowo Ile-Ife. He then became Director of the Yaruba Cultural Institute. He was appointed to the post of Director General of the National Commission of Museums and Monuments in 2000 and was successful in securing the repatriation of Nigerian antiquities. He was also a Vice-Chair of the World Heritage Committee from 2003 to 2005 when Osun-Osobgo Sacred Grove became the second site in Nigeria to be nominated to the World Heritage List.

ICCROM would like to express its most sincere condolences to Chief Omotoso's wife and children, to the National commission of Museums and Monuments of Nigeria, to the Federal Government of Nigeria Directorate, and to all his professional colleagues.

updated on: 25 October, 2007