By Wale Alabi
In reflecting on the success of the inaugural Piql Africa Breakfast Meeting on Heritage Preservation, Nze Ed Keazor, Chairman of Piql Africa Ltd, expressed, “Piql’s Breakfast Meeting Series is about building a sustainable future for Nigeria’s cultural and historical data. We are grateful for the incredible support from our stakeholders and are excited about the opportunities this event has created for continued collaboration.” This sentiment resonated throughout the day as key figures from various sectors gathered to discuss the future of data preservation and Nigeria’s role in safeguarding its cultural heritage in the digital age.
The event, held on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Metropolitan Club in Lagos, brought together leaders from the public, private, and third sectors to address the urgent need for cultural preservation. The event was graced by influential figures such as Chief Emeka Anyaoku GCON, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth; HRH Dr. Rick Acholonu, the Igwe of Orlu; Prince Yemisi Shyllon, a cultural financier; and His Excellency Mr. Michel Deleen, Consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lagos. Also in attendance were Mr. Baba Agba, Special Assistant to the President on Creativity, Mrs. Evelyn Odigboh, Director of the Nigerian National Archives, Mrs. Tola Akerele, CEO of the National Theatre, and Ojinnaka Obi Asika, Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), who delivered a compelling keynote address on the critical importance of heritage preservation in the modern world.
Among the distinguished corporate guests were Ekeinde Ohiwerei of NLNG, Chike Asiodu MD Text Nigeria Limited , and representatives from First Bank Nigeria, all of whom have begun engaging with Piql Nigeria’s initiatives. Their presence signals a growing interest from the corporate sector in supporting efforts to preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage through innovative digital solutions. The involvement of IESG (Imo State Economic Summit Group) also highlights the Imo State Economic Think-tank’s interest in Piql’s initiatives and its alignment with the broader goals of economic growth and development.
The event’s keynote address was delivered by Ojinnaka Obi Asika, Director-General of the NCAC, who emphasized the urgency of preserving Nigeria’s cultural identity in an increasingly digital world. “Preserving Nigeria’s culture is not only about safeguarding artifacts; it’s about ensuring that the stories, knowledge, and identity of our nation are passed down to future generations,” said Obi Asika.
The event was also marked by the Awards for Excellence in Heritage Preservation, presented to distinguished individuals and institutions including Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Prof. Wole Soyinka (represented by Jahman Anikulapo), Prince Yemisi Shyllon, First Bank of Nigeria, Mrs. Evelyn Odigboh, Mr. Jahman Anikulapo, and Mr. Olugbile Holloway, Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (in absentia).
These awards recognized their exceptional efforts in safeguarding Nigeria’s cultural heritage. In his acceptance speech, Jahman Anikulapo, representing Prof. Wole Soyinka, emphasized, “Cultural preservation is not just a matter of history; it is integral to the identity and future of our nation.”
One of the event’s most significant outcomes was the announcement of a strategic partnership between Piql West Africa and the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC). This collaboration will focus on preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage sites using Piql’s innovative digital preservation technology. Esona Onuoha, Managing Director of Piql Africa Ltd, expressed his excitement about the partnership: “Piql’s technology is helping bridge the gap between Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and the future. This partnership with NCAC ensures that these cultural records are preserved securely and sustainably.”
Further strengthening this partnership, Rune Bjerkestrand, Chief Executive Officer of Piql AS and the Arctic World Archive (AWA), shared his vision for the future: “Piql is committed to using its innovative data preservation solutions to help preserve Nigeria’s cultural assets in a way that makes them accessible for future generations. Our technology is not just about data storage; it’s about securing cultural identity.”
In a reflection on the success of the event, Sanford Emejuaiwe, Chief Operating Officer of Piql Nigeria, remarked, “The enthusiasm and commitment shown bye all attendees reaffirm the importance of preserving Nigeria’s legacy. The conversations and partnerships formed today will drive the future of data preservation and cultural protection.”
The Piql West Africa team was instrumental in the seamless organization of the event. Emeka Enwere, the company’s Chief strategy officer in Nigeria, shared his pride: “This event sets a new benchmark for what we can achieve when we come together. We are not only preserving data; we are preserving the future of Nigeria’s heritage.”
Piql’s ongoing mission to ensure secure, long-term preservation of Nigeria’s cultural, historical, and corporate data is now more critical than ever. The event in Lagos has sparked conversations that will pave the way for future collaborations aimed at building a robust national data repository, critical for Nigeria’s economic growth and development in the digital age.
Piql looks forward to future opportunities to continue this important work, collaborating with government institutions, corporate leaders, and cultural advocates to safeguard Nigeria’s most valuable records. The successful collaboration with NCAC and other stakeholders signals a bright future for data preservation in Nigeria, with Piql at the forefront of this movement.
Piql remains committed to working with all key stakeholders to ensure Nigeria’s cultural legacy is preserved and accessible for generations to come. The event in Lagos marked a pivotal moment in the journey toward securing Nigeria’s heritage and ensuring a thriving future for cultural and digital preservation.
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