For fun seekers who reside in, or are visiting Lagos, there are several places to unwind in the city. Because when it comes to having a good time, Lagos leads with its vibrant nightlife. However, if you are a culture enthusiast who craves to have an encounter with history and you probably do not know where to go, Jovago.com, Africa’s No 1 hotel booking portal round up 5 places to experience art and culture in the centre of excellence.
National Theatre
Exterior shaped like a military hat, built by the military regime of Olusegun Obasanjo in 1976 in preparation for the 1977 Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC), and it played a significant role in promoting Nigerian theatre. It has two 5,000 seater cinema halls. It is a hub for a perfect cultural and art experience!
Freedom Park
Freedom Park is the remnant of a British Prison located on Broad Street in the heart of Lagos. In order, to preserve this history and cultural heritage, the government upgraded the park. The Park for the past few years has become a one-stop centre to appreciate art, culture and have fun at the same time. It showcases the work of literary giant Prof. Wole Soyinka via the Kongi’s Harvest Art gallery, live music, spoken word, live drama, and hosts events like the Afropolitan vibes and Lagos Black Heritage Festival.
National Museum
Remember the 1976 assassination of former military Head of State Murtala Mohammed? If you want to relive what happened on that faithful day, visit the National Museum which is 150 metres Southeast of Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos and you will see the bullet-riddled car in which he was assassinated. Other attractions include brasses from Benin city, Nok Terracotta heads, carved ivories, royal crowns and much more.
Mende Cane Village
The Mende market may not readily appear on any to-do list or itinerary but it is a place worth visiting. The market is situated under the Odo-Iya Alaro bridge at Mende, Maryland. At the market, you find artisans carving various household materials like baskets, cots, bridal chairs, tables, and other items from bamboos. The expertise displayed by these persons who have eked out a living from carving these items is fascinating. Interestingly, these baskets are affordable and you can purchase one.
Badagry
Being an ex-slavery hub, everywhere you go in this pretty quiet town reflects its slave history and past. A day’s visit to Badagry is not enough to navigate this coastal town. Whispering Palms, Badagry Heritage Museum, Slave Museum, Slave Markets, Slave prisons (Baracoon), Slave Port, Gberefun Island, Point of No Return, 1st Primary School, 1st Church, 1st story building are a few of the many places. There so much cultural interaction and exchange in Badagry.
| Ogunfowoke Adeniyi |
