Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has unveiled the 32-foot Eyo Monument at John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, in Lagos, describing it as a symbol of culture and identity.
Sanwo-Olu said that the unveiling, though simple, represents a significant and wholesome cultural experience in celebration of the Eyo Adimu Orisa Festival.
He said that the monument reflects the depth of Lagos’ cultural heritage, and reaffirmed the state’s position as a cradle of culture and tradition.
“This unveiling is simple, yet very significant; It is a wholesome experience that celebrates the Eyo Adimu Orisa Festival and what it represents to Lagos and our people,” he said
Sanwo-Olu commended the creator of the monument, Mr. Dotun Popoola, for using his artistic skills to project Lagos as a symbol of culture, creativity and history
He said that the state government would continue to support initiatives that preserve, promote and showcase Lagos’ rich cultural heritage to residents and visitors alike.
In his welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre, Mr. Qudus Onikeku, said that the 32-foot monument mounted on a six-foot base, was designed to tell the story and history of Eyo in Lagos State.
Onikeku said that the centre also planned to produce a documentary film on the Eyo festival to further document and preserve its cultural significance.
According to him, the documentary will feature a respected custodian of Yoruba culture in the state, Erelu Abiola Dosumu.
He said that the monument and the planned documentary aligned with the centre’s mandate to serve as a hub for cultural education, preservation and creative expression
Reacting, the Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos, Erelu Abiola Dosumu, commended Sanwo-Olu for his contributions to the preservation and celebration of Lagos’ cultural heritage and traditions.
Dosumu also praised the governor, for his proactive approach to infrastructural development across the state, adding that cultural development thrived best in an environment supported by strong infrastructure.
Earlier, the creator of the Eyo Monument, Mr. Dotun Popoola, said that the almost 40-foot statue was conceived as a commitment to the promotion of culture and tradition.
Popoola thanked the Lagos State Government for the opportunity and support to execute the project, describing the monument as a tribute to the enduring legacy of the Eyo tradition.
According to him, the artwork is intended to inspire pride, cultural consciousness and continuity among present and future generations.
By Aderonke Ojediran