By Akeem Lasisi
When the Yoruba say, ‘Ilé ọba tó jó, ẹwà ló bù kun’, they are celebrating the fact that adversity is often a bridge to victory. The indigenous proverb means whenever a palace gets burnt, the one due to be rebuilt is normally grander than the one destroyed.
This seems to be the story of the Lagos Theatre in Oregun, burnt during the 2020 #EndSARS riots. Not only has the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration begun its reconstruction, the new facility is also conceived to be bigger and better than the one vandalised.
For this writer, it was an emotional trip to the location in the Ojota area two weeks ago when the groundbreaking held amid respite and great expectations. His feeling stemmed from his presence when the old community theatre was inaugurated in 2019. Like many other stakeholders, he had hoped to see the monument, which was one among those built across Lagos’ I-b-i-l-e geopolitical structures of the state, blossom and contribute to the growth of the creative industry. But the expectation was cut short by the angry fires that gulped the novel investment.
However, there is relief as the government bounces back to rebuild the facility. To show that it means business professionally, the anchor government’s department, which is the Ministry for Tourism and Arts, is working with others that include Works and Transport. Very importantly too, the project has as the consultant, Mrs Ayo Jaiyesinmi, founder of Thespian Family Theatre & Productions. Jaiyesinmi is one of the producers who assiduously worked for the return of live theatrical performances in Nigeria.
With the commencement of the project, the Ojota axis can now be described as a construction site, remembering that massive work is also ongoing on the Opebi-Maryland-Ojota link bridge, also known as the Odo Iya Alaro Bridge.
Performing the groundbreaking ceremony of the Oregun theatre, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, noted that it marked a significant milestone in the administration’s commitment to revitalising public infrastructure and expanding cultural opportunities for the people of Lagos.
According to her, the government is determined to restore the glory of the facility and transform it into a world-class cultural and artistic hub. She added that it would provide a modern, dynamic space for artistic performances, cultural showcases, and other creative engagements.
Benson-Awoyinka said: ‘The government is committed to delivering a state-of-the-art facility that will serve as a hub for talent development and entertainment in Lagos’. She, however, stressed the need for community ownership and collective responsibility in safeguarding public infrastructure.
‘When public assets meant to serve the people are destroyed, it is often due to a lack of awareness and responsibility. We must change this mindset and instill a sense of community pride and protection for our shared heritage’, she noted.
Benson-Awoyinka affirmed that the redevelopment project had been awarded to Mrs. Ayo Jaiyesimi, whose firm would oversee its transformation. She assured that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture would work closely with all relevant stakeholders, particularly the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, to ensure the project’s seamless execution.
The commissioner commended Sanwo-Olu for his unwavering support in making the project a reality and for his continued investment in the creative industry. She said the reconstruction of the Lagos Theatre, Oregun aligned with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S. + Agenda, particularly in the areas of tourism, entertainment, and creative economy development.
Jaiyesimi emphasised the importance of stakeholders’ cooperation in ensuring a smooth reconstruction process, assuring that the firm would expedite actions to complete the project within the Sanwo-Olu tenure. ‘The revamped theatre will not only restore a vital cultural landmark but also serve as a significant boost to Lagos’ creative economy’, she said.
Also at the event were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Wale Musa, who is also the Supervising Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture; and the CEO of Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Idowu Johnson, among other top government officials, cultural stakeholders, as well as representatives from the creative industry.
