Ayodele Olalere
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has officially declared the museum in the J Randle Centre for Yoruba Heritage and Culture in Onikan open for public use.
The museum, which exhibits historical, artistic and cultural artifacts of the Yoruba, is a key component of the Centre, which was commissioned last year.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also appointed Qudus Onikeku as the Director of the Centre.
Speaking at an interactive session with creative stakeholders at the centre , the governor said that the state remains the centerpiece of tourism as it is the capital of music,film, art and culture in Africa.
While urging more participation from the private sector, Governor Sanwo-Olu said his administration will create an enabling environment for all stakeholders to thrive in the sector as a big enabler for the State’s economy.
The governor said it becomes expedient to quickly put the issue of inheritance at the front burner and ensure the need to pass on the baton of rich cultural heritage to the incoming generations.
“We need to bring back that inheritance and we must all ensure that we work with everyone that has access to our artifacts for us to bring it back, so that we can now leave a rich cultural heritage for the next generation. This museum will now be a historic site that will talk about our history and culture, so J. Randle is our own attempt at bringing back that inheritance and showcase it to the world.” he said
Governor Sanwo-Olu called for the return of stolen artifacts back to the original spots while emphasising the need to ensure the repatriation of Yoruba inheritance towards building the heritage and bringing the past, present and the future into one location.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the rejection of speaking the local dialect in schools was the beginning of the problem the country is facing and stressed that the significance of the J. Randle Centre is strategic to the historical connection of Nigeria.
“With the evolution of colonialism in our space, some of us got a little disrupted. Lagos island was a strong heritage space until when Nigeria came and we have to shift and move around into the old western part of Lagos, which is from Surulere, Ikeja amongst others. So, having a structure like this in this area is significant to the historical narrative of Nigeria.”
He said Lagos is the capital of tourism, fashion and entertainment in Africa and that propelled the strategic positioning of entertainment and tourism as part of the pillars of the developmental Agenda of the government.
The governor maintained that the state has engaged private players who have assisted to train thousands of creative minds while government provided funding for such trainings.
In her remarks Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture ,Toke Benson-Awoyinka noted that the opening of the museum is an indication of the unwavering commitment of Lagos State to preserve and promote the invaluable history and traditions of the Yoruba people.
Benson-Awoyinka said that the John Randle Centre will serve as a beacon of knowledge, highlighting the profound contributions of the Yoruba ancestors and the enduring spirit of the rich culture as the center is designed to foster a deep sense of connection and pride among all who visit.