Macron: One visit, many memories

The adjectives: ‘young, energetic and unusual’ aptly capture the person and disposition of French President Emmanuel Macron. The 40 year-old French President is obviously a total contrast to the ruling elite that captures the leadership model of many African countries. When on Tuesday, Macron and his team landed in Lagos and headed straight to Fela’s Shrine, it was indeed a most memorable moment for the children and faithful followers of the late Afrobeat King, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

For many Nigerians, Macron’s visit to Nigeria in his capacity as president of one of the most powerful countries in the world became unusually historic considering his visit to Fela’s shrine. When he therefore stated his intentions and the memories that he holds of Fela’s contributions to the global stage of entertainment, he validated the industry and ingenuity that Fela is known for, world over.

ALSO READ: 2019: Alao Akala declares to run for gov

For Lagos, Ogun, Kano, better days ahead

Before paying homage at the shrine, Macron had entered into a number of agreements with Nigeria represented by President Muhammadu Buhari. The agreements which were to the tune of $475 million included the execution of some projects in Lagos, Ogun and Kano states.

The whole intent of the Lagos agreement would be the financing of an urban mobility improvement project which would consume a loan of $200 million. The development of bus corridors numbering eight will ensure the improvement of Lagos mass transit.

For residents and government of Ogun State, the pact would see to a synergy between a French firm and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority. This cooperation would ensure the mobilisation of another $200 million from investors chiefly for land reclamation with the intent of correcting massive degradation of affected arable across Ogun State. For governor Ibikunle Amosun, this became important considering the impact it would have in curtailing the effects of climate change, generation of employment, improved internally generated revenue as well as forest re-creation within the state. Particularly, about 108,000 hectares of affected forest areas will benefit from this agreement.

For Kano, the foreign development agency of France, Whence Francaise de Development, will ensure the provision of $75 million credit facility with the sole aim of improving the provision of potable water for residents. Just as his Ogun State counterpart approved of the gesture, the Kano State governor Ganduje also expressed the state’s readiness to benefit from the agreement.

A delighted President Buhari stated, inter alia, “Our discussion is around security, especially in the Sahel, the economy of the region and how it can be successfully and politically integrated. What France is doing, we all know is trying to stabilise the region, especially in dealing with the G5. The best thing is to develop good relationship with your neighbours. It will cost you less in terms of materials needed for development and in this respect I am very grateful to France for the support we have been getting. The third one is the question of resources and our fighting of corruption. I am very grateful to the French President for his understanding and commitment towards Nigeria and this region.”

An emotional recollection

A delighted and an emotional Macron would rather start by recounting the wonderful few months that he spent in Nigeria. “It is very emotional for me to come back after 15 or 17 years, especially in Abuja. I spent few months; it was with a different President and in a very different context. Being in your country after visiting China, India, this country is very important to France and very important to me. It’s also speaking about a country where its democratic experience is a great example in Africa. Your election in 2015 was one of the best examples of unexpected election where a lot of people thought everything was written before. Democracy is never written before. I am a good example of that. And I do believe that next year will be an incredible occasion to deliver a consistent message to the world and the rest of Africa. Our bilateral relation is obviously framed by security issues, our common fight against Boko Haram. Our willingness is to help the four countries working together against Boko Haram,” he stated.

While Macron spoke to the issues of insecurity and the need to foster collaborative efforts among the various African countries affected by the onslaught of the Boko Haram tragedy, many waited at the Fela Shrine with news that the French President would find his way to Lagos.

An emotional reconnection

Asked why he would visit the shrine, Macron, who had worked at the French Embassy in Nigeria in 2004, answered with a disarming smile, “I know the place and I have some memories.” He had been trained as a senior civil servant at the French Embassy in Lagos in 2004. This was seven years after the music legend Fela died. He described the Shrine as a cultural and iconic hub.

He gave reason for his decision to visit the Afrika Shrine to his gnawing nostalgia for the wonderful memories of the iconic place. Continuing, he stated: “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 succeed 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 to me on a personal level, and that is why I want to say with a lot of humility that I recognise the importance of this place, I recognise the place of culture in this current environment.”

It was therefore with a most reverential disposition that Macron, alongside his team received by the Lagos State governor, Akinwumi Ambode and many others, made their way into the Shrine.

Impressed by the looks of the concert hall which he described as “iconic”, the French President said that “we have to build a new common narrative” in Africa. You have to recognise the bad and negative pages of this history, but you have to move forward.” It was equally at the forum that he launched the African Cultural Season expected to take place in France in 2020 which would be a combination showcasing music, fashion and theatre.

When asked about how he led his life as an intern in Nigeria, Macron kept sealed lips, managing to say to the delight of the audience that “Obviously I will not share all those memories because what happens in the Shrine remains in the Shrine.”

For lovers of culture and enthusiasts of the trappings captured in the life and endeavours of Fela, Macron’s visit and recognition of the Afrika Shrine re-validate the essence that the Afrobeat legend embodies.