By Taiye Olayemi
Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, on Wednesday said the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History is now open for creatives’ use.
Benson-Awoyinka said this during a tour of the centre as well as the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Freedom Park and Onikan House, all within the Onikan environ in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the centre offers Yoruba people from Southwest Nigeria and other countries in the Americas and the Caribbean, including Cuba, Brazil and Haiti, a space for reflection and reconnection.
It demonstrates how Yoruba culture is still having an impact on musicians, artists, and creative thinkers today.
The centre’s architecture draws inspiration from traditional Yoruba craftsmanship and architecture, using visual metaphors to express the language and culture’s deep artistic and philosophical roots.
The fractal-like building form, which rises from the ground and leans forward (O tesiwaju) to depict the Yoruba people’s progressive nature, responds to its environment.
“The John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History is open already, creatives are coming to display their wares. We have had fashion shows, art exhibitions there.
“I am using this opportunity to let the young ones out there know that the centre is open for all,” she said.
Speaking on the essence of the tour, Benson-Awoyinka said it was to expose the tourism and historical offerings in the state to the world for improved patronage.
She said the move was also to spur the interest of Nigerians to tell more of the state’s history and its tourism assests.
“Lagos is a huge space with so much history and heritage, the untold story of Lagos must be relayed. That is the reason I am with these dignitaries here, to show the world the tourism potential in Lagos.
“This is to enable us tell our story the way it should be told. It is also to show our children that there is so much embedded in Lagos, there is so much to look out for rather than going out of our shores for leisure.
“Lagos is all about live, work and play. That is what we are showcasing.
“So, Lagos is open for business, open to promoting tourism, and to showcase our heritage in culture and arts.
“We promise to create that enabling environment for tourism businesses to thrive. We want the young ones to key into the sector, we have a demography of very young individuals who are waiting for opportunities,” she said.
Earlier, Mr Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director, Sterling Bank, expressed readiness to work with the management of the NCMM to preserve the nation’s treasured history and arts.
Suleiman also disclosed that the bank was ready to support investors in the tourism sector.
“We must remind ourselves that tourism is also a business, we have seen the incredible walls of history hidden and waiting for us put out there.
“Arts and culture provide lots of opportunity for job creation, to position Lagos and Nigeria in the right light and that is what we are about to do.
“As we get along, we are looking forward to being able to put funds across to those who can groom tourism, invest in hospitality, hotels and transport.
“We are also ready to work with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments to see that we can preserve it in a way that it won’t just be for our enjoyment but for the future generations,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Olugbile Holloway, Director-General of NCMM, emphasised on the need for everyone to tell Lagos story.
He said this was necessary to grow tourism activities within the state and discourage Nigerians from traveling out of the country for leisure. (NAN) (nannews.ng)
