President Emmanuel Macron of France has
revealed why he is visiting the Afrika Shrine in
Lagos.
Speaking during a joint press conference at the
Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, Macron
said the Afrika Shrine is a symbol of African
culture.
President Emmanuel Macron of France has
revealed why he is visiting the Afrika Shrine in
Lagos.
Speaking during a joint press conference at the
Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, Macron
said the Afrika Shrine is a symbol of African
culture.
Recalling his days in Nigeria, Macron said he
never imagined he would return to Nigeria as
President of France.
Fifteen years ago, the president of France
worked as a diplomat in Abuja.
“First, because I wanted to find a good occasion
to come back there. I know the place and I
have some memories, I have to confess at a
time that there was no president around, I hope
I will not spoil the party.
“First, I think that is such an iconic place for a
lot of African people and African culture. And I
think very often when you speak of the African
culture in Europe, those who are successful in
Europe and in France, which is different most of
the times are not dramatically very famous in
Nigeria or in Africa. And there is a bias because
you know people are absolutely not the same.
“I mean Fela, Femi, Seun Kuti are obviously very
famous in France and Europe, I mean they are
big successes but the Shrine is a cultural hub,
an iconic hub and it is very important for me
first on a personal level, and that is why I want
to say with a lot of humility that I recognize the
importance of this place, I recognize the place
of culture in this current environment,” he said.
