Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday officially declared the museum in the J Randle Centre for Yoruba Heritage and Culture in Onikan open for public use, stressing the need to leave rich cultural heritage for the next generation.
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 Mr Qudus Onikeku as the Centre’s director.
Speaking at an interactive session with creative stakeholders at JRandle Centre Onikan Lagos, the Governor said that the state remains the centerpiece of tourism and has the potential for Music, Film, Art and Culture in Africa.
While embracing 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, stressing that more efforts will be made to bring out creativity and signposting Lagos as Tourism, Art and Culture destination within the continent and beyond.
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 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 JRandle is our own attempt at bringing back that inheritance and showcase it to the world.” he said
Governor Sanwo-Olu urged the museums that still hold on to the artifacts to return them back to the original spots while emphasising the need to ensure the repatriation of Yoruba inheritance towards building the heritage and bring the past, present and the future into one location.
Sanwo-Olu who berated the rejection of speaking the local dialect in schools which according to him was the beginning of the problem stressed that the significance of the JRandle Centre is strategic to the historical connection of Nigeria.
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.
