The event, tagged ‘Celebration of
African Culture’, recorded an impressive turnout of entertainers,
culture enthusiasts, politicians and diplomats.
Accompanied by Lagos State Governor,
Akinwunmi Ambode, Macron, dressed in simple white long-sleeve shirt
upon black trouser with a black-tie to match arrived the venue under
heavy security at about 10 pm.
On arriving, he was first taken
on a tour of some art exhibitions of Nigerian artists such as Ndidi
Emefiele, Victor Ehikhamenor and Abraham Onoriode Ogbobase, and
thereafter, he requested to be ushered round the Shrine, climbing to
the topmost floor from where, having attained a full view of the
venue, he made the Fela signature fist, hugging as well as posing for
shots with fun seekers and foreign guests who occupied the floor.
Speaking in a media chat at the event,
Macron who happened to be the first ever seating President of any
country to visit the Shrine urged Nigerian youths to get involved in
politics to change the narrative of the nation.
Describing politics as important, the
French leader said only Nigerians could change their image before the
comity of nations. He noted that the future of Africa and the task of
making it great rested with Africans, adding that the youths have a
crucial role to play. “Africa needs a new generation of Africans to
share the new narrative about Africa all over the world,” he said.
According to him, politics is important
because it is a tool to change the society.
Macron described the Afrika Shrine as
an iconic place of strength, music, culture and the late Fela as a
politician who wanted a change for the society. He said: “I am very
happy to be here.
Speaking
further, the French leader who has a different view of Africa than a
lot of people in Europe, said he is determined to champion a new
narrative about how Africa is perceived, adding that the African
Cultural Season 2020 is one of the ways to project the continent
positively.
“I believe
that we have to build together, a new and common narrative. And this
new common narrative is not based on what is important for Europeans,
but what is important for Africa about their culture, how they want
to build their culture, how they want to explain their culture, how
they want to promote their culture and which places are important for
them for these promotions.
“European
leaders are not here to lecture African leaders. African leaders are
here to take care of their people. They are not there to lead the
young generation to believe that their future is outside Africa. They
have to build their future here in Africa.
“We decided
to organize African Cultural Season 2020 in France for several
reasons. It is about a team of young creatives coming from different
parts of Africa. You’ll have contemporary artistes, painters,
people involved in fashion, movies, visual arts, architecture… all
different arts existing and present in Africa, especially Nigeria.”
“Some
people say this is a tremendous continent. This is a unique place….
And at the same time, some people say Africa is a place of terrorism…
these two messages are true at the same time. But why I believe it
is possible to change all these negative messages is because what we
need is for African people to speak about Africa because you always
replicate, mirror Europeans impression about Africa. When I say we
need new narratives, what I mean is that we need you people to make
these narratives. I see a new generation of artistes, of
entrepreneurs, of people coming from civil societies, of journalists,
of intellectuals coming from Africa and explaining, speaking about
Africa in Europe and everywhere…,” he added.
Earlier in his welcome address, Ambode
said Macron's visit was expected to signal the dawn of a new
collaboration between France and Lagos State in the quest to make the
state the culture and entertainment hub of Africa.
According to Ambode, the colourful
event was also about celebrating African culture, which was a
positive step for France as it sought to rebuild its relationship
with Africa.
Also, speaking in the same vein,
Senator Ben Murray-Bruce asked the federal government to apologise to
Fela's family for the social injustice done to the late Afro beat
king by the past military regimes in the country.
The event, which was graced by the top
echelons of society, witnessed the official launch of Season of
African Cultures 2020, an initiative of President Macron to showcase
the best of African creative endeavors in France. There were also
fashion show and musical performances to crown the event.
Dignitaries that graced the event were
former Governor of Anambra State,Mr. Peter Obi, former governor of
Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole
Soyinka; Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, Senator Florence Ita Giwa;Lagos
State Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorine,
Founder of Africa International Film Festival, Chioma Ude; CEO of
EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu, former Director General of Nigerian
Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Mr. Emeka Mba.
Others were entertainers such as Yemi
Alade who performed at the event, Ara-the drummer, Banky W, Olu
Jacob, Joke Silva, Jide Kosoko, Kunle Afolayan, Ramsey Nouah, Rita
Dominic, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde among others.
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