The home of afrobeat lengend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti was on Monday turned into a Museum by the Lagos State Government to mark the legendary musician 74th birthday and to promote cultural heritage.
The museum located at No 8, Gbemisola Street, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, was christened “Kalakuta Republic Museum”.
The major items in the museum include over 3000 Fela’s dresses, pants, dozens of his shoes, covers of albums of the late musician and other household items.
Speaking at the event,the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-Government Relations, Disun Holloway said, “for It is only appropriate to have chosen a day as this to declare this monument open today to mark the 74th posthumous birthday of the legendary musician. It is also the beginning of Felabration – a weeklong series of festivities to celebrate a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist musician, human activist,tourism stakeholder and political maverick.”
“This is a deliberate attempt at bringing the old social life back to Lagos through the creation of places of relaxation within safe and secure environment. As demonstrated by the involvement of the state government in this museum, it is pertinent to reiterate our commitment towards boosting tourism.”
Responding,Femi, son of late Fela Kuti, applauded the state government for its support and emphasized that the museum would only serve its value if the legacies his father fought for were brought to the reality.
Fela Kuti’s outsized personality and social activism made him a hero to many while he was still alive, and his funeral in the giant economic capital of Lagos drew massive crowds to the streets.
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