“What Happens In The Shrine Stays In The Shrine” – French President, Emmanuel Macron
Akwaowo Willie
French President, Emmanuel Macron, spiced up his two day trip to Nigeria with a visit to the New Afrika Shrine on Tuesday.
Macron, who is the first sitting president to visit the shrine, arrived with dignitaries and mingled freely, absorbing the rich display of Nigerian culture around him. He said “What happens in the shrine remains in the shrine,” to cheers from the crowd.
New Afrika Shrine
Highlights of the evening included performances by Femi Kuti, Ara the talking drummer, a fashion show and a meeting with stars from Nigeria’s booming Nollywood film industry, as well as the presentation of a pencil drawing of the president done by a little boy.
Present at the shrine was the governor of Lagos state, and other celebrities among whom were Banky W, Kunle Afolayan, Chika Okpala (Bhief Zebrudaya), Genevieve Nnaji and many more.
Macron used the occasion to launch the African Cultural Season to hold in in France in 2020.
The French leader visited the shrine as an intern in Nigeria in 2002 at the age of 23.
“It was the French who organised Fela’s first European tour in 1981. His sons, Femi and Seun, launched their international careers in France.”
— Macron
The shrine is a large hall painted brown and yellow, with patterns suggesting African symbolism. The original shrine was built by the late afro-beat maestro Fela Anikulapo Kuti and destroyed in 1977.
