*** I am still trying to get over the euphoria – Yeni
***Fela Would Have Not Allowed Him In His Shrine – Friend
Hazeez Balogun, TOMI FALADE, LUKMON AKINTOLA
Agidingbi Alausa axis of Lagos, on Tuesday, July 3, the evening seemed unnaturally calm and quiet. Neatly dressed law enforcement personnel could be seen patrolling, a closer look revealed roadblocks set up to prevent vehicles from using certain sections of the road. It was all organised, prim, proper, and tied up in a ‘pretty blue bow’ that was the blue paint used to beautify the road dividers. It all seemed surreal, but it was absolutely worth it: the French president, Emmanuel Macron, was in Lagos. Not just Lagos, he was visiting the New Afrika Shrine.
The president of France, Mr. Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday night made a historic visit to the New Afrika Shrine in Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos, home of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Macron was at the New Afrika Shrine, at an event tagged ‘Celebration of African Culture’ to inaugurate the African Cultural Season 2020. As it stands, he is the first president of a nation to step into the hallowed hall of the Afrika Shrine since it’s creation.
This goes absolutely against the earlier preconceived notions about Afrika Shrine. Prior to its metamorphosis into what it is today, the New African Shrine was a different cup of tea.
To many people, it represented different things. For some, ‘Shrine’, as it is called among its many denizens, was a place to have uninhibited fun, while for others, it was a nuisance to be eradicated.
For a first timer, it was always a feeling of awe and shock due to some of the happenings there.
Diverse people of varying ages, culture and traditions, united in partying, smoking hemp and other illicit drugs, was a common sight.
Puffing Indian hemp, while sipping from a bottle of an alcoholic drink with no regard in the world made the shrine a free for all zone.
On the walls of the shrine, you just couldn’t miss things such as newspaper cuttings of two former presidents of Nigeria, General Olusegun Obasanjo and General Ibrahim Babangida, exchanging heated words with each other, family pictures of the Afrobeat maestro Fela, Martin Luther King, the Egypt 80 band, Nelson Mandela and others.
Often openly described as a vast hangout decorated with colourful lights, important posters passing across key messages and a bit of history and memorabilia of the legendary Fela Kuti, it was indeed far from that.
Aptly put, it was an electric and friendly atmosphere with both young and old of both sexes freely enjoying marijuana and other social drugs and alcohol, with an endless supply of Femi Kuti’s music.
The smell of marijuana at the shrine was always so strong that it was often joked that, “you don’t have to smoke at the shrine to be high.” Such was the reputation of shrine.
Also, you will notice the presence of ladies whom some may describe as prostitutes and intoxicated individuals who eventually become objects of ridicule.
As would be expected, businesses and residents around the environment began to relocate one after the other. For business owners, they didn’t feel safe in the environment, while resident feared it wasn’t a place to raise children.
A gathering for social miscreants, thugs, criminals, the curious ones and a handful of young men working blue collar jobs, but wanting the kind of fun only the colourful Shrine could offer; there was no over estimating the excesses of the shrine. It also served as a pickup spot for men with interest in girls of easy virtues.
An average passer-by wouldn’t miss the ambience, as there was no mistaking the fact that the Shrine was the territory of these boys and girls, as they more than took over.
The real picture of the then New Afrika Shrine is better described in the words of former Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba in 2014 when he said the place was suspected of being a safe haven for criminals who met there to plan their nefarious activities. He said he had also received complaints from residents of the area about “Indian hemp (marijuana) and other kinds of illicit drugs” being consumed on the premises.
To many, Mba’s words are the truth about the shrine, but that was then.
Describing one of the many invasions of the police on the shrine, Yeni Kuti, one of the children of late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and co-founder of the club said the police broke down half of the door to the room where her musician brother Femi Kuti keeps his saxophones.
According to her, “When you see what they did there, it’s terrible, people are telling us we should be careful that they just want to victimise us,” Yeni said.
On several occasions, both Yeni and Femi have had to secure the release of patrons arrested at the shrine, a testament to the level of seriousness with which the police handles the raids.
Femi Kuti was once quoted speaking on an arrest, which took place at the shrine years back. According to him, despite the fact that he and his sister had been cleared of any involvement in robberies, they were still trying to secure the release of more of the club’s patrons.
In one of the raids at the shrine, which lasted for three hours, 331 people arrested.
This was however not the only raid at the shrine nor the only unpalatable incident there.
Things have however changed at the shrine since the management rebranded, giving it a new face.
While the shrine still serves as a pick up spot for women of easy virtue and the free puffing of weed and other drugs remains, issues concerning security have been improved on with the shrine now having its own tour guide and police who keep and maintain the law. Crime rate in the area among business owners is said to have dropped to a bare minimum, and many have Shrine to thank for it.
Among other things, several occurrences and events have caused a change in perception that has reinvented the fate of Shrine to one of acceptance. One of such special events is Felabration, an annual festival celebrated in commemoration of Fela, which has seen to a positive review of the Shrine itself.
At the last Felabration, which traditionally takes place in October, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode commissioned a statue named ‘Liberation’, for Fela Kuti at Allen Roundabout. This stamps the new reputation of anything related to Fela and as an extension, Shrine.
Today, the shrine hosts young and old corporate players cutting across several industry including banks, oil and gas, while several organisation have been known to partner with the shrine.
President Macron’s visit, alongside Governor Ambode has unveiled Shrine in a new way to Lagosians, Nigerians, and the world as a whole. It is no longer referred to as a gathering place of miscreants, but a cultural heritage and hub in Nigeria.
In the past few years, SMEs, corporate players and even schools have moved into the area, making it a business hub. Surrounding Shrine, out correspondents counted at least seven well-used and standard event centres that enjoy quality patronage irrespective of the proximity of the Shrine.
Reacting to the endorsement of the New African Shrine by the French President Emmanuel Macron, Daughter of Fela Anikulapo Kuti and manager of the Shrine, Yeni Kuti said, “I am still trying to get over the euphoria, maybe you should call me in two weeks time. However, one of the things it means is that there will be more sponsors for Felabration. When I approach people for sponsorship, I expect that they will be more willing to answer us. I mean if the French president can endorse the shrine who won’t endorse it.”
Kuti further said that “He was the one that said that he wanted to come to the shrine, we were not the one who invited him. He said that he had visited the shrine before in 2004. When I introduced myself to him, he said that he knew me and all I could say was wao, he is a very nice and humble man,” .
To further validate the authenticity and relevance of Shrine, President Macron described it as an iconic centre for the propagation of African culture, strength and music. He said that he was glad to be back to the Afrika Shrine, adding that he still holds fond memories of the place since his first visit back in 2002.
In an address, Macron shared, “I discovered Nigeria and a lot of my friends are here. I discovered Nigeria and I discovered Lagos and I discovered the Shrine. This place is an iconic place and it is a place where the best of music is given. I have to say my main memories about this place are friends, proud people, proud of their culture, proud of their art and music. I have a very different view of Africa than a lot of other people in Europe,” he said.
Macron further stressed the need for Africa and Europe, especially France to build a new commonality, adding that “this new commonality is not based on what is important for Europeans but what is important for Africa, about their culture, how they build their culture and promote the culture and which places are important for them about their culture. Being here, I do recognise their culture and respect their views. This place (Shrine) is important for Africa and their culture and that is why I am here.”
He also disclosed plans to host the African Cultural Season 2020 in France, which he said, would be about promoting African culture in Europe, adding that the event was going to be for Africa and by African artistes.
“It will include people with fashion, African movies, new generation of artistes will be coming from Africa and it will be organised by them to show Europe and France” the real culture of Africa.
“The event will be financed by African leaders. It will not be sponsored by France or European businesses, but by African businesses, it is brand new. This season is a unique one and it will be the new face of Africa in Europe organise by Africans, providing what you like and what you have here,” he said.
At the official unveiling of Alliance Francaise, a French Cultural Centre in Lagos on Wednesday, Macron said the development was part of the measures to scale up the relationship between France and Nigeria, while also specifically offering the commitment of the government and people of France to development of infrastructural projects in Lagos.
“Thanks very much for being here; thanks very much for making this possible and to Mr Governor, we spoke yesterday and this morning together in the car. Going to Shrine together yesterday and going to French Alliance now. It’s much more quite, much more calm and reasonable but at the end of the day, I think both of us did share the same views that we can do tremendous things together.
“Your State – Lagos, is one of the main challenges of not just Nigeria but the whole of Africa. I mean this huge city, there is tremendous challenge about how to make people living together in peace, in a better place and I want France to be part of this story and I do want my country and my people being part of this experience. It means belonging same values, sharing cultures, languages, literatures, music, movies, building together projects, having common economic projects and so on, and this eco system will be not just possible but stronger staying in this place,” Macron said.
Ambode, while welcoming President Macron to the State, had expressed optimism that the historic visit will go a long way to break any barriers between Nigeria and France as well as foster greater collaboration for economic, social and cultural growth.
The Governor said the State Government was delighted to host Macron, a well respected global leader, adding that it would also signal a new era between both countries, especially for Lagos where talents in the arts and creative industry abound.
“On behalf of the government and good people of Lagos State, I welcome His Excellency, President Emmanuel Macron, President of France, to the commercial and cultural capital of Nigeria and indeed West Africa.
“We are delighted and honoured to be hosting a President of one of the world’s Super Powers; a permanent member of the United Nation’s Security Council with veto rights, a prominent member of the G8 and the World Trade Organisation and a champion of Global Climate Change.
The Governor said he was particularly delighted that Macron’s visit to Lagos began on a cultural and entertainment note, adding that the French Cultural Centre and Alliance Française based in the State had always been an asset to its cultural landscape in the same way that Trace Television had also become an invaluable addition to its music and entertainment sphere.
Speaking to the owner of an event centre close to Shrine, she explained that in the past, though the area was popular, patronage was low because of the kinds of people that loitered around the place.
“People used to be scared to come and use my place. They would say “with all these miscreants, won’t they steal the cars of my guest?” And when I tell them no, they would pretend that they have heard and tell me they will come back. But they never came back. This area was a hard sell. I was one of the earliest owners of an event centre in this area. But now, life is good. In fact many of the guests at events would visit Shrine afterwards, the area is looking up.”
Among activities used to welcome Macron to Shrine were performances by the Lagos Art Council cultural troupe, an art exhibition, fashion show, display of Nollywood scenes, presentation of an unconventional painting of Fela to Macron by Governor Ambode, as well as pencil frame artwork of Macron done by 11-old old Kareem Olamilekan drawn within two hours at the event.
Others include sterling performances by dance group, Footprints of David, music artistes, Yemi Alade, Charlotte Dipanda from Kenya and a scintillating performance by Femi Kuti to bring the event to a close.
Among notable Nigerians in attendance to make the Shrine visit an august occasion were Banky W who compered the event, Tunde Kelani, Yeni Kuti, Femi Kuti, Kunle Afolayan, Genevieve Nnaji, TV presenters, OAPs, bloggers, journalists, media personalities, socialites, captains of industries and many more.
A successful reinvention does not usually happen when you hate what is, it happens when you love what is enough to believe that it can be better and deserves better treatment and acceptance. The New Afrika Shrine did not reinvent, it maintained it’s innate persona and aura, but grew to a level of global acceptance, just as all creative masterpieces and concepts should. It is the old Shrine in a new light.
Despite all the fanfare, there are still some who do not see any good from Macron’s visit to the shrine. Some saw it as a desecration while other say it is just a distraction.
62 years old Omogbolahan Rabiu who claims to be an ardent Fela follower and claims he had once lived with Fela in Empire Road, Lagos says that Fela would never have allowed Macron into his own shrine.
“This same white people that held us as slaves, that created this nonsense called Nigeria, yet we praise them and cheer when they even come into our shrines. Do you think Fela would have allowed this? This are the same powers that are impoverishing Africa, yet we celebrate them. When they leave now, they will be mocking us behind our backs. Do you think they don’t know we don’t have electricity? Do you think they don’t know that we are hungry? We show them the fake side thinking they don’t know what is going on. Shame!”
Post Views: 1,092
