Tourism Stakeholders Seek Preservation Of John Randle Centre Lagos

By: Luqmon Balogun, Lagos

On Nov 30, 2024

The need for the preservation of heritage assets in Lagos State and illumination of the cultural ambience of the state’s rich monuments, facilities among others has been emphasized by the tourism stakeholders.

It is believed that beaming a searchlight of investment on these resources will generate more wealth for the state and its inhabitants.

Critical players in the tourism industry have enjoined Lagos State government to continuously invest in these assets, dwelling particularly on the recently Inaugurated John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, located at the heart of Lagos Island, Onikan, Lagos accompanied with a museum, which exhibits historical, artistic and cultural artifacts of the Yoruba which is a key component of the Centre.

J Randle Centre is a hub designed to celebrate the yoruba culture and drive historical journeys from a generation to another and it ultimately offers a delectable experience for the prospective visitors

Former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, Oba of Benin, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, international diplomats among others, all described ithe centre as a way to promote culture and tradition of the Yoruba race after visited the exhibition gallery of the museum.

Before its regeneration, J Randle Centre was originally built in 1928, and it was one of those centres structured to provide recreation and entertainment to the locals in the area during the colonial era.

A former member of the Board of Trustees of the Centre, Dr Femi Majekodunmi, recalled the time as a resident in Lagos Island when he has to walk through the path during his primary and secondary school days

According to him “On my way to school on a daily basis, I passed through this spot stand in the afternoon, I swim over there. We all know how it used to be before it later demolished.”

During the official opening the J Randle museum, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the delight of the audience reminisced on the trajectory leading to the birth of the centre.

He said

“This area is where we can call a three-arms zones, during the colony of Lagos. Down the road used to be a colonial residence of government, which is governor’s residence, all of them are pedestrian, across is the race course, during the colonial days is where they play polo and racing, next to it is Our Saviours Church, that is the church they go to, we.also.have the lawn tennis courts. So, the JRandle here was now begining to be for indigenous local that is why you have Yoruba Tennis Club, first indigenous yoruba, this place was now like a place left for recreation for indigenous people, but the name John Randle then now built a swimming pool into this premises and had a small hub which was now for the indigenous people.

So, have a structure like this in this area is significance to the historical narrative of Nigeria

A cultural enthusiast, Adeoluwa Mogbonbola said that the J Randle museum in Lagos is a stride towards promotion of Yoruba heritage and enable open a window to the world to learn about history.

“If you want to learn about Yoruba culture and most of what connected us in terms of physical artifact, monuments and historical narrative of the diety, masquerade, powers and principles of leadership, J Randle is the right stop and besides that you can as well relish sumptuous local delicacies that will remind you of the beauty of our local meals, it is indeed the bed of the Yoruba Art and Culture..”

J Randle comes with its special Architectural piece that reflect uniqueness and dynamic Yoruba rich culture and it is a digital facility that welcomes you into the sphere of Yoruba customs and traditions copiously wrapped with cultural values.

Kingsley Omoike is into hospitality business in Lagos, according to him, J Randle is beyond a mere museum, it is a template deliberately designed to preserve the Yoruba culture.

“I will be 70 years in February 2025 and I have spent 56 years in Lagos. I am aware of the Yoruba traditional practices and the J Randle facility is a true definition of how to preserve yesterday for the future.”

Omoike mentioned that the facility is a reservoir of knowledge that anyone regardless of ethical background, religious status and cultural leaning can visit to be abreast of historical idea of Yoruba.

No doubt, Lagos remains the centerpiece of tourism and has the potential for infrastructure that protect and promote Art and Culture in Nigeria as well as Africa and John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History is the gateway to explore the richness embedded in Yoruba culture and traditions.

Going forward, unceasing efforts must be championed by the relevant authorities to ensure these assets are well kept. Museums that still hold on to the artifacts must return them back to the original owners while repatriation of the nation’s cultural inheritance mut be activated towards building the heritage and bring the past, present and the future together.

Victoria Ibanga