The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lagos City

  • 10 popular tourist sites in Lagos City

    Lagos, Nigeria’s mega city of aquatic splendor, is a city of extreme paradox. A city where you find the extremely affluent and also see abject squalor. It is a city that habours individuals with deep spirituality  and those with extreme irreverence for the supernatural. It is a city brimming with massive population  that at peak periods in some places, getting  spaces to walk  takes a lot of effort. It is a city that rewards the hardworking and daring and suffers no lazy individual.  That is the allure of Lagos.

    The recent visit of French President Emmanuel Macron and his decision to visit African Shrine to  have a feel of the late Afro-beat music legend, Fela Anikulapo- Kuti’s legacy, has again kindled the desire to know some of the most visited tourist sites and destinations  in Lagos.

    Below are the most visited places by tourist visitors to Lagos City:

    Synagogue Church of All Nations

    Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) of Prophet Temitope  Balogun Joshua located in Ikotun in Lagos West attracts the highest number of tourists not just to Lagos, but to Nigeria as a whole.

    Tourists from all over the world, cutting across different geographical locations, races and religions visit SCOAN on pilgrimage to worship, listen to Prophet Joshua and find solutions to their physical and spiritual ailments.  The church does not have low or high season. The influx of tourists quadruples anytime Prophet Joshua calls for prayer line.

    The steady number of tourists that keeps streaming to the church is a testament to the church’s global popularity. The church has been visited by many sitting heads of governments, ex-presidents and foreign presidential candidates; many went on to win their elections.

    African Shrine

    Coming behind   the SCOAN is African Shrine built by Femi Kuti, a scion of Afro-beat legend, the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Most leisure and business tourists visiting Lagos always demand to visit the place or Fela’s museum , or even both. Having listened, read and heard so much about Fela, tourists visiting Lagos always feel the trip would not be complete without visiting African Shrine to have a feel of Fela’s music vibe.  It is actually not surprising that the French President chose  African Shrine as the place to visit during his tour of Nigeria.

    Africa Shrine is a centre that promotes Nigeria music both past and contemporary. The shrine is located few metres from the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa.

    Nike Arts Gallery

    Located on Elegushi Road, off Lekki-Epe Expressway, Nike Gallery is among the must-see for visitors to Lagos. It is founded by the legendary artist, Chief (Mrs.) Nike Ekundaye. Nike Gallery offers total Nigerian experience. Tourists are welcomed with drumming and singing by the hospitable staff of the gallery in full Nigerian costume.

    Even for local tourists, the experience at Nike Gallery is exciting. First, there is the adire/batik crash workshop where visitors are trained how to make batik. Then, the taste of Nigerian traditional delicacies like akara and puff puff.

    There is a dance class that tests one’s flexibility and foot dexterity. The biggest thrill is roaming the two filled to brim with old, classic and modern Nigerian art works in different media. One could spend hours moving around the work. Nike Gallery experience is always something inbound tourists look forward to.

    Freedom Park

    Freedom Park is a former colonial prison  located on Hospital Road, Marina, Lagos.  It was opened in 1882, but later closed and abandoned for several years. In 2010, the old prison was turned into a cultural and recreation centre.

    The beauty of Freedom Park is that apart from the centre being aesthetically pleasing to behold, it has almost everything that would keep tourists in the park for hours: the different prison cells have stories of past horror to tell. There is an open air stage for performance. For those who are to have a taste of the Nigerian cuisines, the centre  offers food outlets for tourists to enjoy.

    Terra Kulture

    Located in Tiamiyu Savage Street, off the famous Ahmadu Bello Way, Terra Kulture, as the name indicates, is a place to experience the totality of the Nigerian culture from contemporary stage performance to Nigerian literature, music and cuisine.

    The centre organizes exhibitions and excursions for school children, foreigners and Nigerians. It has a 250-seater hall for Nigerian arts and culture. Tourists could have wonderful time watching some of these performances.

    Terra Kulture pays attention to some spoken Nigerian languages like  Ibo, Yoruba and Hausa. One could enjoy authentic Nigeria dishes at the restaurant and purchase books.  Also being close to hotels in and around Victoria Island is one of the things that makes the place popular with tourists.

    The late Afro-beat maestro, Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s larger than life image and the wide acceptance of his music within and outside Africa has made the museum popular among foreign tourists. Located in his old house on Gbemisola street, Ikeja, lovers of his songs, music  and ideology come there to remember Fela and what he stood for in his lifetime.

    Items like his personal effects, musical instruments and pictures could all be seen at the museum.

    Iga Idugaran, Isale Eko

    Iga idugaran in Lagos island is the royal palace of the Oba of Lagos on Lagos Island, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu. Many tourists who desire more knowledge about the history of Lagos, one of Africa’s largest cities, go to Iga idugaran. The palace offers tourists opportunity for a first hand experience of royal  activities in the palace of a first class African traditional ruler.

    Eko Atlantic City

    Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island, Lagos  is an ambitious smart city project being carried out on land reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean.  Standing on 10 million square metres piece of land, it is regarded as the Africa’s most ambitious tourism project. This has become a hit with inbound tourists who always desire a tour of the place. That informed the decision of African ministers of tourism in their recent meeting in Abuja to take a day off tour Eko Atlantic City.

    Elegushi Beach

    Located in Lekki, Elegushi Beach is at the end of Elegushi Road.  Despite the negative activities of ocean surge that have washed away a chunk of the white sandy beach, Elegushi Beach still holds certain charms to visitors.  Like travel experts would say, beach front anywhere  in the world attracts a huge number of leisure seekers.  Elegushi Beach might not be the best beach Lagos can boast of, but its proximity to the Victoria Island and Lekki and the top hotels gives it an advantage.

    National Museum

    National Museum, Onikan is a draw for tourists because many international tourist visitors believe that one could have a better glimpse and understanding of a foreign culture by visiting the museum. Although not in the best shape compared to museums of other megacities the world over, National Museum Onikan is still a prism to see Nigeria’s rich history. There are artifacts that date back to thousands of years and those of the recent past like the Mercedez Benz car that former Nigerian Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed was in when he was assassinated in the 1976 botched military coup.

    Fela’s Museum storey building

  • Lagos City Polytechnic graduates 541

    Graduates of Lagos City Polytechnic have been urged to live above board as they go into the world.

    The advice was given during the institution’s 12th Convocation in Ikeja.

    Two hundred and sixty-seven  graduates were conferred with the National Diploma (ND) while 274 received the Higher National Diploma (HND) from the Schools of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Business and Management Studies.

    The institution’s Governing Council Chairman, Babatunde Adewale Odufuwa, said Nigerians had misplaced their priorities.

    Odufuwa said: “It is all about money, notwithstanding the circumstances of how we get the money. But life is not all about the financial benefits. It is okay to be rich, have luxury houses, cars etc. All these don’t fill up your life, but living a life of substance through your service, your offering of your  self.

    “Graduates, friends of graduates and families, the best legacy is for every life you touch. Fill everything with love. Provide solutions to problems and wealth will follow you.”

    He said the government should  give incentives to private tertiary institutions that are helping the government to train its citizens.

    Odufuwa harped on discipline and general education, teacher training as well as a viable educational system.

    Delivering the convocation lecture, Otunba A. P. S. Arogundade, said, Nigeria needs further entrenchment of technology in educational development.

    He spoke on: Integrating technology in learning.

    Eyinka, who represented Arogundade, said: “Science and Technology have revolutionised learning around the world. Telecommunications has brought the world together such that distance is no longer a barrier to quality and depth of learning.

    “Many values that have been added to telecoms over the years and the explosion in software engineering have superimposed interesting paradigm to learning in general.”

    A Governing council member Mrs. Titilayo Solarin urged the graduates to be upright.

  • Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Army contingent gets promotion, cash

    Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Army contingent gets promotion, cash

    The Nigerian Army contingent at the just concluded Access Bank Lagos City Marathon 2017, has been rewarded with promotions and cash prize of N150,000 each.

    The Army team surpassed its performance in the  last edition in an event that featured world class marathoners  and accomplished athletes.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman, said in a statement that  in  view of the achievement, and to encourage them, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, has directed their elevation to the next higher rank respectively and donation of cash gift of N150,000 to each of the athletes.

    Usman said: “This year, the first soldier to arrive,  Private Auwal Hudu,  came 10th overall,  within 2hrs 45mins, while Private Raymond Nanribet took 12th position and arrived within 2hrs 46mins. Private  Sanusi Husamat was number 13 and has the timing of 2hrs 48mins. Private Danjuma Stephen took 14th position and arrived within 2hrs, 56mins.

    “Others were Private Gyang Dalyop, who was  15th position overall, and  within 2hrs 58mins, Lance Corporal  Gyang Yakubu, 17th position within 2hrs 59mins and Private  Muplang Luwadet was 18th person to arrive  within 3hrs 3mins.

    “Among the female fielded athletes,  Private  Hannah Adewale was the first to arrive and took 8th position among all the female marathoners with a timing of 3hrs 52mins, while  Private  Naomi Yunana was number 9th, with a timing of 3hrs 56mins, Corporal  Eunice Waje came 10th and made it within 3hrs 58mins, while Private  Lange Rose took 11th position overall with a timing of 3hrs 59mins.”

  • Access Bank Lagos City: All eyes on Teslim Balogun Stadium

    Access Bank Lagos City: All eyes on Teslim Balogun Stadium

     • As Lagos Marathon begin with Expo

    Though the main act, the 2016 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, will not flag off until February 6, the main build up activities to the first full international marathon in Nigeria in 30 years, Lagos City Marathon Expo, starts today at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

    First of its kind in Nigeria, Marathon Expos are integral of big marathon races worldwide with major marathons like New York, Dubai, London, Boston, Chicago, Tokyo, Berlin drawing thousands of vendors and exhibitors annually.

    The theme of the Lagos City Marathon is Hospitality, Wellness and Wellbeing. Over the weekend, some of the exhibitors were seen mounting their stands in readiness for today, the day one of the Expo.

    Corporate organisations and government bodies expected at the  Expo include Access Bank the title sponsor of Lagos City Marathon, Gsk, Ladel’s Baby Centre, Airtel, another sponsor of the marathon, Food Clique, Oniru Family, Eko Hotel, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, SuperSport and a host of others.

    Tayo Popoola, the Lagos City Marathon head of Events and Ceremony, said the aim of the marathon is to bring all the stakeholders in the health, wellness, and well-being industry together to promote a healthier Nigeria,

    “The essence of the Lagos City Marathon is not just about elite athletes, economic benefits, showcasing Lagos to the world and other good benefits that the marathon will bring to Lagos and Nigeria, more than these, we also aim to promote the culture of running which scientists have proved to be beneficial to the human body, when you have healthier citizens, you have better workforce and spend less on health and healthcare.’’

    Popoola also revealed that all the athletes; including elite runners, fun runners and other class of runners will collect their kits at the Expo.

    She also revealed that there will be food, music and drinks, while celebrities from the media, musicians, actors, traditional rulers and other very important Nigerians will be guests of the Expo daily.

    Deji Tinubu, the Special Adviser and Chairman Lagos State Sports Commission who is also the Chairman of the Organising Committee Lagos City Marathon ,will formally declare the Expo open on Thursday. The curtain will be drawn on the Expo on February 3.