THIS COMPLAINT WAS FORWARDED BY A NAIJABLAB READER.....
Dear Governor Ambode,
Your administration is no doubt attaining great strides in the life of Lagosians. Unlike the previous draconian administration of Raji Fashola, yours is making so much difference, with little stress and pressure on Lagosians. However, you will need to call the entire management and staff of the FREEDOM PARK to order, because they are a disgrace to the whole laudable idea on ground.
This is my story. Sometime last week (early June), I took my family on the day out to the Freedom Park. My kids were visiting from the USA, and as proud Lagosians they were keen on seeing some heritage. We got a decent reception at the onset, because we had mistakenly entered a building that was said to be a radio station of some sort. The gentleman there was well spoken and polite. He showed us where to go. We ran into a 'mallam', who asked us to pay N200 per head. We were four, and we promptly paid N800. We then walked around the seemingly empty ground. We noticed a few renovation works going on here and there. First impression was that here is a good idea, but I hold my breath on whether it will be be managed properly.
We later decided to visit the building with a sign saying MUSEUM. At first it looked desolate, but the door was opened. No one on the entire ground floor. We went upstairs, because we thought we would at least see an attendant or staff. Got there and nobody whatsoever. We looked around, and saw interesting stuff, and good history. My kids were excited to see the images of Herbert Macauley, Awolowo, and the rest. There were also a few relics and artifacts like the age-long prison gallows and restraining chains etc, lying 'carelessly' in the room. My first thought was that the staff were unforgiveably careless and reckless. What struck my mind at that moment was...suppose these things get stolen??? My daughter was also flabbergasted. She asked me if these people ever heard of ARTIFACTS HUNTERS or oyinbo people that go around the world to steal arts and antiques of other countries??? I simply said to her that I was not as surprised as she was....trust Nigerians not to give a 4uk.
On the way out we went through the gardens, and decided to take some photos of ourselves with our phone cameras. All the while we noticed the so-called security guards at the gates were unperturbed, with some of them lying down without their shirts. As we proceeded to go, I suddenly noticed a security officer (with a limp) running after us while trying hard to wear and button his shirt. He went straight for my daughter (the soft target), asking her why she was taking photos. I turned round and asked him if it was prohibited, and why there were no signs or warnings to that effect. He then said the penalty was N10,000. I could not help laughing, as I thought he was joking. Another guy in suit joined him to 'make the kill', with both of them insisting we had to pay. My wife was so angry, she flew into a rage. I then told them we were not prepared to pay a kobo, and that we were not oyinbo people or JJC they could rip off at will. And that we only took personal fotos, and we were not shooting a film.
I requested to see a manager or a superior officer. They went into an office with a sign saying ADMINISTRATION, and summoned a rude young lady. She never was interested in hearing what we had to say. She insisted we had to pay. At this point I told them they would need an army batalion to stop us from leaving. I ordered my family into the car, and the mallam who earlier took N800 from us asked them to open the gate. I could see he wanted no trouble, because he thought his colleagues had gone too far.
The truth of the matter is that these idiots had sized us up and thought we were JJCs, and foreign based Nigerians. There is no telling how much they squeeze out of foreigners and oyinbos. At one point I told the Admin woman to go and focus her energy on securing their so-called museum, rather than exploit paying visitors. She said it was not my business. I simply told her I was a Lagosian, and that it was my business because one day na one day. One oyinbo bounty hunter will come there and cart away our heritage...just like they did with our FESTAC Statue.
Your Excellency Sir...please call these CLOWNS to order.
Dr. Rotimi DaSilver.
Freedom Park Lagos, born out of the ruins of Her Majesty’s Broad Street Prisons, was reconstructed to preserve the history and cultural heritage of the Nigerian People.
Freedom Park Lagos is a National Memorial, a Historical landmark, a Cultural site & an Arts and Recreation centre. The project commemorated the 50th anniversary independence celebration in October, 2010 in remembrance of the Nation’s foremost fathers for their patriotism which ultimately led to the Nation’s Independence from colonial masters.
The Freedom Park is a Heritage Site
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