There was a huge buzz when it was announced that the President of France would be visiting the African shrine, the home of Fela Kuti.
The visit was scheduled for the 3rd of July and the roads around the shrine were closed so that Macron would have easy access.
The French President was hosted at the shrine by the Lagos State Government and was in the company of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
He was welcomed to the Shrine by Femi Kuti and his sister Yeni. He got to listen to Ndidi Emefiele, Abraham Onoriode Oghobase and Victor Ehikhamenor.
Macron was also greeted by a tonne of Nigerian celebrities including: Ramsey Nouah, Joke Silva, Jide Kosoko, Yomi Fash Lanso, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Rita Dominic, Dakore Akande, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Chief Zebrudayya and director Kunle Afolayan who all got together to perform for him.
The French President has some history with the shrine stating that he had visited the place before, “I know the place and I have some memories.” he told journalists before he visited the shrine.
Macron had praised the cultural significance of the shrine and also disclosed that Fela, Femi and Seun Kuti along with Afrobeat as a music genre was quite popular in Europe.
“I mean they are big successes but the shrine is a cultural hub, an iconic hub and 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.” he said.
You can see photos of his visit below
courtesy NAIJ.com
