Follow Us on Google
As part of plans for the celebration of the 80th anniversary of passage of Herbert Macaulay, the late father of Nigerian nationalism, the Macaulay Heritage Foundation is set to celebrate the ‘Greatness Series’ of a true Nigerian and Lagosian in the spirits he displayed 80 years ago as evident today.
Macaulay was a father of so many things to different people in Nigeria, especially to Lagosians. The Foundation is dedicated to advancing the principles of nationalism, cultural pride and civic responsibility championed by Macaulay.
In view of this, the foundation plans a year-long monumental sequence to showcase, celebrate and endear the true nature of Nigerians as seen today globally with Lagos State Government endorsing the “Herbert Macaulay Monumenting Programme,” while Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, is expected to lead the start of the monumental project.
Mr. Gladstone Olufemi Macaulay, chairman, Organising Committee, who spoke on the project, said aside from the Nigerian Spirit in 18 different forms as identified with the late nationalist, the true spirit of Lagos was also key in attaining most of his goals and achievements in life.
The Macaulay family and the foundation have lined up various programmes to engrave and nurture the true ‘Spirit of Greatness’ in the generation next, from the prism of the past.
Other News
Erelu Adeola Macaulay, the spokesperson of the family, said the theme of the ‘Spirit of Greatness’ Project is Herbert Macaulay (HM) Ideology: Documenting the True Spirits of Nigeria in the prism of Lagos.
She reiterated that the ‘Spirit of Lagos’ is huge, multi-faceted, deeply historical, cultural and global in diverse perspectives of the man, Macaulay.
She said the late nationalist was a light bulb that illuminated Lagos and Nigeria and the programme will start with a thanksgiving service at The Cathedral Church of Christ in Marina on Sunday June 28. A banquet/dinner at the Naval Dockyard, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, will follow with dignitaries from the Diaspora alongside state and federal government attending.
The foundation will unveil other events planned for the Spirit of Greatness series with an arts, painting, essay competition and exhibition at J.K Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History to a cultural night of songs on Yoruba perspectives at the Freedom Park. There will also be a press colloquium at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos.
Erelu Macaulay said the long year plan is important to continually engage the different spirits displayed by Nigerians, especially Lagosians globally.
