Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, the financial centre of the metropolis, is known for its beach resorts, boutiques and nightlife.
To the north, Lagos Island is home to the National Museum Lagos, displaying cultural artefacts and craftworks.
There are many beautiful places all over Nigeria but they’re certain places you wish there were better maintained and one such place is TBS – Tafawa Belewa Square.
On Wednesday, the main gates that lead into and out of Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) were pulled down and a private investor is reportedly behind it according to reports.
Originally called Race Course, Tafawa Balewa Square is a 14.5-hectare ceremonial ground on Lagos Island, Lagos.
Beautiful Places To See In Lagos State (SEE VIDEO)
Before the demolition, the entrance structure had gigantic sculptures of four white horses hovering above the gate and seven red eagles, which are symbols from the national emblem signifying Strength and Dignity respectively.
Other monuments in the square include the Remembrance Arcade (with memorials to World War I, World War II and Nigerian civil war victims) and the 26-storey Independence House, built in 1963 which was for a long time, the tallest building in Nigeria.
Beautiful Places To See In Lagos State (SEE VIDEO)
The incident has been met with some criticism, particularly from Open House Lagos, an architecture-based non-profit organisation established in 2006, which published a lengthy statement opposing the destruction, calling it “illegal.”
Open House Lagos described the action as “illegal,” citing a Listed Sites Law enacted by the Lagos State House of Assembly in June 2011 which states that Grade 1 Listed Sites—which are those of special interest and are vested in or acquired by the government—shall see the government “preserve, rehabilitate and maintain them.”
It said the move was unlawful and urged the authorities to demand that the gates be replaced by the original design comprising horses and eagles above the gates.
“TBS (in its entirety) is Grade 1 Listed (Listed Sites Law 2011 of Lagos State), and herein lies the crux of the problem with this transgression and flagrant flouting of the law; it is illegal. And consequently, the gates must be re-installed. It is also quite clear that the contractor has cut up the gates and carted away with the pieces. Exact replicas must be built and installed,” the statement by Open House Lagos reads.
“These acts of defiance of Listing Laws must be brought to an end. Ilojo Bar, a prime example of the Portuguese style (imported from Brazil) that once dominated Lagos Island was demolished in spite of its Grade 1 Listing.”
“This sort of bravado and eradication of the architectural heritage of Lagos must end forthwith. We ask all those parties to this attack on TBS to retrace their steps and put back the gates,” said Open House Lagos.
See the video below for more reactions.
