Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, on Monday, inaugurated the remodelled J Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History.
The centre is currently playing host to the maiden edition of Afropolis Lagos Festival, an international festival of arts, creativity and innovation, which kicked off on October 26 and expected to end on November 3.
Sanwo-Olu also announced the appointment of Nigerian multimodal international artiste, Qudus Onikeku, as the Centre Director for J Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History.
The governor said the centre, meant to project the history and culture of the Yoruba race from the beginning through to the present and the future, would also serve as a suitable research centre.
Sanwo-Olu said: “Qudus Onikeku will now be the Centre Director for J Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History. Taking this decision took us almost a year to conclude.
“He is fit to manage this place. We are going to be relying on your expertise and skills for the proper management of this centre.
“He (Qudus) brought the idea of this Afropolis festival, for players in the creative sector to express themselves because we are aware that Lagos is home to lots of creative minds.
“This is a destination for the entire creative sector and people of innovation. It is appropriate for research, meetings, relaxation and more.”
He said the centre was a place to envision ideas.
According to him, it is a centre for younger creatives to develop their talents.
Sanwo-Olu added that the installation of equipment is ongoing at the centre.
The governor assured the creatives of accessibility to funds when they are able to birth new and innovative ideas as many have benefited.
He noted that as part of plans to develop Lagos as the hub for entertainment and tourism, the state had invested in training creatives cutting across various fields.
He said professional institutes like Ebonylife Academy, Ogidi Studio and Delyork Academy are some of the institutes engaged in the capacity development programmes.
“Our objective will never be to stiffen innovation, but to create an enriching environment for creativity to thrive.
“So, I call on the Ministry of Tourism to develop a proper calendarisation of tourism, culture and entertainment activities so that we can have specific month or months to host such activities.
“This is to enable tourists plan their activities to visit Lagos,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Also, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, described the centre as a living tribute to the richness of Yoruba culture and an invitation for all to partake in its beauty.
Benson-Awoyinka said the centre embodies a collective dream, a dream of unity, understanding, and appreciation for the nation’s shared cultural identity.
She appreciated everyone, who contributed to the establishment of the centre, dedicated artisans, historians, educators, and community leaders.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that Sanwo-Olu and other government officials were taken on tour of the centre after the inauguration.
The centre accommodates a museum, children corner, storytelling arena, exhibition space, a library, multipurpose rooms, a theatre, a seminar room and more. (NAN)
