Gani Fawehinmi and Abiola’s sculptures get face-lift

The Lagos state government has started re-modelling Chief MKO Abiola and Chief Gani Fawehinmi sculptures as part of the ongoing face-lift of the parks at Ojota to make them more beautiful.

The work entails the erection of bigger sculptures of the two prominent Nigerians.

Acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinshola, said on Tuesday in Lagos that new sculptures would be better and more aesthetic.

He explained that the Govenor Akinwumi Ambode has approved the project.

A group of artistes, he said, have been commissioned to remodel the entire park and erect the new aesthetic sculptures.

She added that the Government was already set to complete the remodeling of Late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola Garden at Ojota.

It would have a new statue and water fountain to enhance the aesthetic value of the park for better appreciation by visitors and enhancement of the June 12 presidential election narrative.

The remodeling work on Chief MKO Abiola statue commenced late January 2017 and is currently about 70 per cent completed, she said.

She said the project also included additional facilities such as a water fountain and a designated mini park.

That of Chief Gani Fawehinmi also at Ojota was about 60 per cent completed, while the park was being enhanced with another work of art called “The Possibility”.

Akinsola reiterated the resolve of Governor Ambode’s administration to change the face of Lagos with the ongoing erection of 29 artistic sculptures and monuments at strategic locations across the State.

She said while many of the new world class creative monuments are at advance stages of completion.

Six of them were completed and officially unveiled, including the statues of the first settler in Lagos, Prince Olofin (erected at Ijora); the first King of Lagos, Prince Ado (erected at Moloney Junction, Lagos); and Ojuloge (erected opposite the National Theatre).

Ojuloge, she said, was designed to celebrate and convey the sense of beauty, grace, style and passion for fashion of Lagos Women.

The other completed monuments are The Drummer (erected at Ipakodo, Ikorodu), which depicts the Yoruba music culture; Youth Empowerment (erected at Sabo Yaba), which depicts situations and resources the youths deploy to improve quality of life; as well as The Fisherman (erected at Badagry junction) which depicts one of the occupations and heritage of the people of Badagry.