NAN-ELS-3
Monument
By Collins Yakubu-hammer
Abuja, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) The National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) has promised to restore the recently demolished Ilojo Bar national monument in Lagos.
This is contained in a statement signed by Malam Yusuf Usman, the Director-General of NCMM and made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
NAN reports that on July 2, a developer in collusion with some members of the `Olaiya family’ mobilised a bulldozer and some armed men with the intent to demolish the structure.
The NCMM got wind of the move and quickly mobilised some members of staff of Lagos museum, and in collaboration with Lagos State Government officials accosted the group and frustrated the attempt.
“You may also recall that in August 2016, a stakeholders meeting was convened by the NCMM at the National Museum, Lagos.
“During the meeting, the stakeholders agreed that all necessary steps must be taken to safeguard the monument from any threat.
“The meeting also agreed to revive an earlier plan to organise a gala night to raise funds for the rehabilitation of the monument.’’
Usman, however, said that in spite all the efforts of highly responsible and patriotic individuals and government agencies, the developer on Sept. 11 sneaked in and willfully demolished the Ilojo Bar.
“The demolition has destroyed a masterpiece of the only surviving Brazilian houses in Lagos with its attractive arches and fine iron works.
“It has done great injustice to the credit of African craftsmanship in architecture which has exerted great influence on Yoruba architecture that is today visible in all parts of Yoruba land.
“Indeed the demolition has eliminated the tangible evidence of social and cultural impact of the transatlantic slave trade and its abolition.
“It has wiped away an outstanding source of memory and history of freed slaves and their roles and impact in the evolution and development of cosmopolitan urban Lagos.
“At the same time, it has destroyed one of the outstanding symbolic evidence of cultural ties between Nigeria and Black diaspora in general and Brazil in particular,” Usman said.
According to him, the act has distorted the eminent position of Lagos in colonial history as a centre where returnee slaves from Brazil built houses in the new architectural fashion.
Usman, however, said that the NCMM would not rest on its oars until the perpetrators of the dastardly act were brought to book.
According to him, the NCMM will ensure that criminal action is leveled against the culprits as well as demand full compensation for the demolished monument.
The NCMM boss reiterated that the demolished bar would be reconstructed and fully restored back to its original and authentic form.
“We wish to assure all Nigerians that the ‘Ilojo Bar’ will be restored as it is a fully documented National Monument with an up-to-date and comprehensive documentation of its architectural history and design details.
“In the meantime, the site of the monument being an integral heritage space is being explored for rescued archaeology and heritage impact assessment.
“We call on all well-meaning Nigerians to join the NCMM in saving, protecting and maintaining our national heritage resources,” Usman said.
NAN reports that the Ilojo Bar formerly known as Casa De Fernendez or Angel House was built approximately 190 years ago.
Its historical, social and architectural values have been well acclaimed, thus prompting the Federal Government of Nigeria to provide special protection status as a National Monument on April 5, 1956. (NAN)
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Edited by Ese E. Ekama