New Afrika Shrine major tourist attraction – Manager

Sunday Essien, the Manager of the New Afrika Shrine, says it has contributed immensely to the tourism sector in the country.
Essien told the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos that the shrine had over the years attracted foreign tourists into the country, thereby increasing the inflow of foreign exchange.
He said: “The shrine is big tourist attraction in the sense that even though they don’t want the foreigners to come here, they sneak and come here.
“So, it has really boosted patronage here.
“If we are talking about the foreigners, 30 per cent of our clients can be attributed to foreign patronage.
“So, I think the shrine has also boosted tourism in Nigeria.
“People patronise the shrine because it is affordable.
“It is meant to suit the masses.
“So patronage has been steady.”
Essien described the shrine as a tourism focal point in Lagos that showcases indigenous African culture to its numerous visitors.
NAN reports that the New Afrika Shrine was built by the late Afro Beat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, to replace the original shrine that was burnt down by “unknown soldiers” in 1977 in Lagos.
The shrine has since served as the venue of the annual “Felabration Music Festival” in honour of the Afro Beat exponent, who died in 1997.
The personal belongings and other relics of the music icon are still preserved in his residence in the shrine.
There are also photo galleries of Fela and weekly music performances by his children Femi and Seun Kuti, who have also made their mark in the global entertainment industry.
NAN.