French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday in Abuja
explained the reasoning behind his decision to visit the African Shrine in
Lagos today’s night, describing it as an "iconic place for African people
and culture."
Macron who had visited President Muhammadu Buhari in
the State House on his way to Lagos, disclosed that having worked in Nigeria
for about 15 years ago, his return to the country this time as a president
which he never imagined at that time, was an emotional come-back for him.
According to him, this visit was a good opportunity
to return to the African Shrine, noting that apart from the personal pleasure
derivable from it, the African Shrine showcases the importance of African
culture.
Macron who was responding to a question at a joint
press briefing he had with Buhari after about one and half hour of bilateral
talks in closed doors, said he had fond memories of African Shrine.
According to him, Fela and his sons, Femi and Seun,
are famous names not only in France but also in the entire Europe.
He said: "First, because I wanted to find a
good occasion to come back there, I know the place and I have some memories. I
have to confess that at a time that there will be no president around, I hope I
will not spoil the party.
“First, I think that it is such an iconic place for
a lot of African people and African culture. And I think very often, when you speak
of the African culture in Europe, those who are successful in Europe and in
France, which is different most of the times are not dramatically very famous
in Nigeria or in Africa. And there is a bias because you know people are
absolutely not the same.
“I mean Fela, Femi, Seun Kuti are obviously very
famous in France and Europe, I mean they are big successes but the Shrine is a
cultural hub, an iconic hub and it is very important for me, first on a
personal level, and that is why I want to say with a lot of humility that I
recognise the importance of this place. I recognise the place of culture in
this current environment.”
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