Welcome to Lagos
Yoruba: Aro Meta, Agba Meta
Welcome to Lagos is located in Nigeria
Welcome to Lagos
Welcome to Lagos
Location of Welcome to Lagos
ArtistBodun Shodeinde
Year1991: Original work
2004 (2004):Rehabilitated work
TypeSculpture
MediumFibre glass
ConditionErect
LocationLagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
Coordinates6°35′1.464″N 3°58′32.916″E / 6.58374000°N 3.97581000°E / 6.58374000; 3.97581000
OwnerLagos State Government

Welcome to Lagos (Yoruba: Agba Meta or Aro Meta) is an Art Deco statue of three Lagos white-cap chiefs located in Lagos, Nigeria.[1] Designed by Bodun Shodeinde in 1991 and standing over 12 ft high, the three sculpted chiefs were built to welcome people coming into Lagos State.[2]

History

Welcome to Lagos was originally built in 1991 by Bodun Shodeinde under the administration of Colonel Raji Rasaki and was placed along the Lagos–Ibadan toll gate. Due to insinuations that the statue was the cause of the regular occurrence of road accidents along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, it was burnt down by some persons in 2004.[3]

On 17 December 2004, it was rehabilitated and moved to its present location along Epe. In 2012, the statue was rehabilitated for the third time after it was burnt during the fuel subsidy saga.[4]

Structural and cultural background

Erected and placed upon a high pedestal to welcome people into the city of Lagos, Welcome to Lagos portrays the image of three white cap chiefs (Yoruba: Idejo) in slightly different positions, wearing white wrappers tied across their shoulders with their right fists clenched, thus symbolizing the strong belief of the supremacy of the right hand over the left.[5]

The figure on the right-hand side stretches his fist forward to the air; with an inclined fist a bit down, the figure in the middle holds his right fist forward while the figure on the left brings his two fists together, slightly touching each other in the air.[6]

Bodun Shodeinde, through this sculpture, depicted the highest honour that can be afforded to anyone in the Eko greeting tradition.[7]

References

  1. ^ Bolaji Campbell; R. I. Ibigbami (1993). Diversity of Creativity in Nigeria: A Critical Selection from the Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on the Diversity of Creativity in Nigeria. Department of Fine Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University. ISBN 978-978-32078-0-6.
  2. ^ "3 Wise Men Statue/Aro Meta". THIC Tourism. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  3. ^ Reuben Daba (2 October 2012). "Truth or Myth? Statue of three Lagos elders causes accidents wherever it is placed". YNaija. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  4. ^ Leke Adeseri & Monsur Olowoopejo (2 October 2012). "Lagos 'three elders' back under close watch". Vanguard. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  5. ^ Dotun Olubi & Akinsola Omidire (29 June 2013). "Bodun Sodeinde: My physical and spiritual attachment to 'Welcome to Lagos' statue". The Sun. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  6. ^ R. O. Ajetunmobi (2003). The evolution and development of Lagos State. A-Triad Associates. ISBN 978-978-36240-8-5.
  7. ^ "Historical Monuments in Nigeria". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 12 May 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
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