One would think the vast number of colonial buildings and monuments in Nigeria would be acknowledged and cherished as part of our history. For a building like Ilojo Bar, which was constructed in 1855 and declared as a national monument in 1956, Just the idea of destroying it would be a total no-brainer.
Formerly known as ‘Casa do Fernandez’, the Brazilian-styled building was sold to Alfred Omolana Olaiya of the famous Olaiya family in 1933.
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Unfortunately, the building was torn to the ground in September 2016 by certain developers following the property’s change of ownership.
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However, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), has vowed to bring the lawless people behind this senseless demolition to justice.
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Also, Legacy, a Lagos-based historical and environmental interest group has filed a petition against this demolition. This petition also aims to ensure the reconstruction of Ilojo bar to its initial state.
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This demolition makes one wonder why National Monuments can be easily bought and sold by people who don’t even value their importance.
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