Governor Fashola Visits Fela Museum

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Friday visited the Kalakuta Republic Museum dedicated in memory of late Afrobeat Icon, Fela Anikulapo- Kuti, saying the building will help generation after generation to connect with and relive the Fela experience. Governor Fashola who spoke with newsmen at the Gbemisola Street, Ikeja location of Kalakuta Republic added that the decision to give the building a facelift is in realization that more could be done with the legacy of Nigeria’s biggest cultural and artistic export to the world.

He said having visited several interesting and historic places, the Kalakuta Republic Museum represents one of the concepts that he has come across, saying that even in his lifetime, the place was a museum.

“It was a place that connected and resonated with so many people and I thought that if we give it a face lift, it will continue to serve the same purpose and keep his ideas about humanity, about governance, about social contracts, about the power of black people and their resource and life”, Governor Fashola added.

On what lessons could be learnt from the visit to Fela’s house who was anti- establishment during his lifetime, Governor Fashola said political officers especially in a democratic dispensation must listen to the critical side.

“We must respect that there is another side there, but we will continue to do our best within the limit of our skills, our exposure and our experience because we know that we are not infallible”.

“Therefore there would be another side, the side that disagrees with the methods and policies. There must be a commonality of purpose about doing what is right and there would be very fine lines of disagreement about what are the best methods and politicians must listen to that side and if there are arguments, we should concede”, the Governor reiterated.

The Governor was taken round the building by the son of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Femi and his sister Yeni and was joined on the visit by members of the State Executive Council including Commissioner for Tourism and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr Disun Holloway, Works and Infrastructure, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Town planner Olutoyin Ayinde and other members of the Anikulapo- Kuti family.