Sam Okwaraji - A Nigerian Hero

Sam Okwaraji's bust in front of the National Stadium, Lagos

The bust of Sam Okwaraji, a football player who died while playing for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier against Angola in 1989, stands in front of the National Stadium, Lagos where he breathed his last.

Sam Okwaraji, a true Nigerian hero

Three Elders: Lagos White Cap Chiefs

This statue of three Lagos white cap chiefs is one of the most famous monuments in Lagos. They reside on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where they welcome travelers into the city. I had a post two years ago that talks about the legend.

The sculpture was created by Olugodun Shodeinde in 1991 and it was commissioned by the government of Raji Rasaki. The statues that represent Idejo chiefs in traditional greeting mode are about 12 feet tall.

This sculpture was part of those made by world famous painter Kehinde Wiley in his The World Stage: Africa Lagos-Dakar collection.

Gani Fawehinmi

A year after the passing of famous Nigerian human rights lawyer Gani Fawehinmi, the Lagos government immortalised him with this statue last month. Situated at the Ojota quadrangle junction, it stands as a brilliant testimony to the brave fight fight put up over fifty years by Gani (a.k.a Senior Advocate of the Masses) against military tyranny and despotic leadership.

Well done Gani and may the issues you fought and lived for become things of the past in no time.

The Three Elders of Lagos

In Yoruba, Agba Meta, the Three Elders of Lagos are always on hand to welcome every visitor to Lagos along the Lagos-Benin Expressway. The statues are replicas of the traditional Lagos White Cap chiefs and the stand more than 12 feet high.

According to popular folklore, they each have a different message for everyone coming into the metropolis: O gbodo ridin (thou shalt not be stupid), O gbodo suegbe (thou shalt not be slow), O gbodo ya mugun l'Eko (thou shalt not allow thyself to be taken for a fool) in Lagos.

Lagos is a place for the strong, hence, the poignant words of advice.,

Fountain of life

This fountain is located inside the Ojota Loop where MKO Abiola's statue lies. Me thinks it signifies the renewal of life.

Abiola of Ojota 2

MKO Abiola was a philanthropist with a wide toothy laugh. It was one reason many Nigerians were able to trust him with their votes which was unfortunately rejected by the military hierarchy in 1993.

Abiola of Ojota

This is the statue of the late Chief MKO Abiola, acclaimed winner of Nigeria's freest and fairest presidential elections. This statue was unveiled in July to mark the anniversary of his death in custody 10 years ago. It was commissioned by the Lagos State government and was sculpted by Bunmi Babatunde head of the Universal Studios of Art, a fast rising art house in Lagos.

This new sculpture replaces an old shoddy representation of the symbol of Nigeria's democracy. It is 9"8in high and is located at the Ojota Loop at Ojota Lagos. Hence, my naming it Abiola of Ojota.

About 300m to this statue is the monument dedicated to the memory of his wife Kudirat who was murdered in cold blood by the former military ruler Sani Abacha. There's a previous post here

Bini chief

This is a photo of a Bini chief in the premises of the National Theatre. You can see the man standing tall and proud. Notice the beads around his neck and wrists, they signify he is a very important man. Unfortunately, the name plate at the base of the monument was missing when I took the photo so I could not identify him.