Sanwo-Olu unveils towering Eyo Monument as cultural landmark, tourism beacon

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has inaugurated a landmark Eyo Monument at the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History in Onikan.

Standing nearly 40 feet tall, the structure was hailed as a powerful emblem of Lagos heritage and a significant driver for cultural tourism.

During the Friday commissioning, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the monument encapsulates the essence of Lagos culture and identity. Positioned within the John Randle Centre, it serves as a fitting hub for preserving and showcasing Yoruba art, history, and traditions.

He stated that the Eyo symbol narrates the story of Lagos to the world and will act as a unique attraction for education, photography, and historical engagement.

The Governor reinforced that the installation underscores Lagos’s dedication to safeguarding its cultural assets and establishing the state as a premier global destination for arts and heritage tourism.

He praised curator and artist Dotun Popoola for his craftsmanship and intellectual depth, highlighting the project as a testament to Nigerian creativity and the potential of indigenous talent to interpret history through art.

Sanwo-Olu also noted that the John Randle Centre offers a comprehensive cultural experience with exhibition spaces, an amphitheatre, a village square, a gift shop, and other interactive features.

He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, stakeholders, and traditional institutions, including the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, in sustaining the state’s cultural legacy.

Earlier, the Centre’s CEO, Qudus Onikeku, described the monument as a major cultural achievement for Lagos.

He explained that the design intentionally allows visitors to enter and explore interior exhibitions detailing the story of Lagos, its communities, and its history. Onikeku confirmed it is the tallest structure of its kind in the state and revealed plans for a documentary film to chronicle the Eyo tradition and the broader cultural heritage of Lagos.

Curator Dotun Popoola added that the monument was conceived as a storytelling edifice, reflecting the diverse areas and historical journey of Lagos. Visitors will be able to climb inside to experience curated spaces and visual narratives that depict the state’s cultural evolution.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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