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It will not be an exaggeration to say that Nigeria is saturated with both cultural and tourist sites and monuments on which the country can easily rely for its internally generated income (IGR). However, the recognition, sale and management of these monuments have become, over the years, more than disturbing, that is the least that one can say. A situation that has left the sites and the economy worse.
The visit of the President of France last week made us understand that our cultural and tourist sites were sometimes derisory. , Emmanuel Macron, at no other place than the openly defamed Afrika shrine, a legacy of the late Abami Eda (the strange) himself, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Throughout his career as a singer, he was harbaded by successive governments until the death of the pioneer Afrobeat on August 2, 1997.
All that Fela defended during his life was then despised by the military junta of country. This important monument that represents the resolute position of the African against foreign domination, authoritarianism and oppression by the military government and the protest against their power, which he described as aberration, were held in disdain even by the elite. The new Afrika sanctuary was born after the disappearance of Fela. It was done by his children to immortalize him and what he represented. Before his death, his home and his execution centers had been vandalized and even shaved by the powers in place, while he was beaten mercilessly and viciously many times. He has also been incarcerated a number of times.
But the French president had said of the Afrika sanctuary. "I know the place and I have some memories, I must confess at a time that there was no president around me, I hope I will not spoil not the party … First, I think it's such an iconic place for many Africans and African culture.
"I mean Fela, Femi, Seun Kuti are obviously very famous in France and Europe. I mean that they are great successes but the Sanctuary is a cultural center and an emblematic center and it is very important to me first of all on a personal level, and that is why I want to say with great humility that I recognize the importance of this place I recognize the place of culture in this current environment.
Most of Fela's hunters listened to and enjoyed his rich repertoire of knowledge and celebration of African culture in private partly because of their colonial mentality and religious sectarianism. Part of the derision and apathy were also extended to other monuments and festivals such as Osun Osogbo Festival, Olumo Rock, Ogbunike Cave, Nok Statutes, Bida Brbad and other than bigots. religious called pagans, animists and idolaters. The Osun Osogbo Festival and Osun Grove have changed for the better after UNESCO has clbadified it as World Heritage. The image of the African Shrine has also exploded since Macron's visit, all thanks to in Lagos. The state governor Akinwumi Ambode and his team
Should the visit of a white man or the recognition of a world body for the Nigerian government and Nigerians recognize theirs and maximize its existence, not only for relaxation and festivities, but also to collect foreign currency? Other African countries such as Kenya, Botswana and The Gambia have long been involved with tourism and have made it their main pillar. Other places that are synonymous with our famous arts abound in the country. The Stadium Hotel in Lagos is synonymous with Maestro Highlife, Dr. Victor Olaiya, Hill's Jos station for Bongos Ikwe, Sir Victor Uwaifo's Joromi Hotel, Chef Hubert Ogunde's Osoosa Film Village and many other landmarks. They all lie in waste, partial or total abandonment. It is then that the spots badociated with great artists like Mamman Shata, Dan Maraya Jos, Oliver Decoque, Osita Osadebe, Yusuff Olatunji, Haruna Ishola have not even been preserved.
It is rather mind-boggling to think that every effort is being made Above OPEC member states to emphasize the excessive dependence of their economies on oil, the Nigeria, with all its potential to exploit the resource, still does not do what is necessary. It is high time to exhume our buried and moribund cultural and heritage sites, not only for our needs and our filial and pedantic kicks, but for more endearing and lasting pecuniary interests that benefit not only the current generation of Nigerians but also to future generations and the world in general. The waking time is now.
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