LAGOS: A PANORAMA OF ARTISTIC ARTICULATION

Hi Friends,
You ever heard of the saying, Eko o ni Baje? It is some political cliche signifying progress and known to be popularly associated with the former governor of Lagos State, Governor Babatunde Fashola. The expression held such a grave pittance so that even after the administration of the erstwhile governor, it stuck like a wool in the ears. And to say the truth, this is one statement that embodies the quite remarkable changes that is presently happening in Lagos. No, I am not just talking about the entrepreneurial support now accorded youths or the construction of flyovers and expressways and repairment of roads. I am talking about something totally unanticipated, something ingenious. I am talking about the incorporation and integration of an artistic re-orientation into the schematics of Lagos, as a city, as a state. This was something that, for a long time, had only seemed like a dream. Now, it's everywhere. Art. It has become what Lagosians now see and breath and earmark into the patterns of their lifestyle.

If you are a Lagosian, you can very well relate to the beautiful graffiti, paintings, and sculpted expressions that you see on major roads. Some very old art hoards have been enlivened to mean new things and carry more significance relevant to the present world. Lagos is indeed moving, and I can't but pause on my personal wild swing into my inner self-expression just so I can show to you the wonderments of a deeply symbolic artistry that articulates the essence of a communal heritage.

There are graffiti just popping all over streets and corners

You want to know the crazy dude that inspired and engineered all these? They call him Osa Seven. The guy is pretty dope, you must agree.

Now, this one under Falomo bridge just blows my mind. And it is done by Polly Alakija. She is a British Babe.

Sculptural pieces are also blazing roundabouts and major roads

This nearly falling one leg master craft is at Ojodu Berger. It is meant to encourage youths to take a leap. Silently, I am just wondering what if that leg falls? Will it ever fall?

The first time I saw this one in Maryland, I looked hard and clear. I knew it told us of diversification. Of the fact that in Lagos, let alone in the whole of Lagos, there was more to us than the three major tribes. That every single individual was as different from his/her neighbour as the stars in the sky. I now know that the sculpture is artistically called the Nerve center of the unknown Lagosian. Beautiful, right?

And come to think of it, that spot was never empty. It used to hold a former sculpture, one that narrowed us to three major entities, one that trusted just three tribes, three weak individuals to carry the whole of Nigeria:

Another piece that received a major revamp is the Awolowo statue in . If you knew Awolowo well enough, you would know he had always been depicted as a standing old man that could not help but raise his hands up. Well, that has changed for the old legend.


While many criticised it saying they have reduced the status of the hero, a good justification was given that said Awolowo always sat down to think.

This is the Yoruba drummer that permanently drums in Ikorodu. Thorough, I must say.

And yes, there are also many inexplainable beautiful art expressions still. You can almost swoon at the sight of them. Look at these few

Courage Mural in Lekki

I can go on and on talking about how artistically rich Lagos has become. But then, it will be too overwhelming. So, let's just stop here. But dammit, Lagos is so beautiful now and I am so proud to be a Lagosian.

Photo Credits: City People, Pulse.ng, TerraKulture...

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