JK Randle Museum in the hands of a caveman

Published

2 years ago

January 10, 2025

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By Duke of Shomolu

I have just watched a video where somebody resisted the Hon. Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism at the JK Randle Museum.

While the matter is still unfolding, let me quickly say something.

The JK Randle Museum located at the Onikan intersection of Lagos Island has been announced by international media as one of the must see places to be visited in the world for 2025.

It was built by renowned architects on behalf of the Lagos State Government and has within its bowels some very rare and priceless artefacts.

At its opening, I went and walked around the edifice and marvelled at its beautiful ambience.

But even at that, I was quite worried as to the capacity and qualifications of the man that was said to have been appointed by the State Government to run the place.

His antecedents didn’t give me any confidence that he understands what was expected of him, viz this historic assignment.

The carnage he fostered at the historic Glover Hall at Tinubu Square was still fresh in our minds.

So seeing him prance in his kembe that night looking lost within the giant edifice only served to heighten my apprehensions.

Today, my worst fears have crystalized.

I have learnt that on a working visit to the monument by the hardworking Commissioner Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, it was discovered that this person had sublet a portion of the edifice to his wife to run a canteen.

I have seen pictures of mundane items like deep freezers, pots and pans and other such paraphernalia used in such bukas littering the multi-billion naira edifice.

I have also learnt that this person had also sublet other parts of the edifice for fees which he has collected privately.

Sadly, he is a non state actor but a mere appointee, appointed to oversee the edifice on behalf of the Government and by extension the people of Lagos State, but turned around to convert significant portions of the structure into a money making venture for himself.

That space was initially offered an international QSR for $150,000 but I learnt that this person sublets government property at N600, 000 without recourse to authority and with the funds not going anywhere near Alausa.

During the said inspection, the Honourable Commissioner discovered these anomalies and decided to take action which was resisted very boldly as could be seen in the videos that have gone viral.

The wrong narrative has been spurned by those who understand how to spin self-serving narratives and the actual happenings may have been blurred, thereby giving the public an opaque view of what transpired.

I have seen more robust images, pictures and have received official explanations on what transpired and I must say that I remain in shock as to the audacity of this young man.

He not only was said to have resisted authority but has been alleged to have involved non state actors who now assaulted Government officials who were in the process of carrying out their legitimate duties.

I have learnt that an investigation into the matter is ongoing with a view to getting to the bottom of the matter

But let me say something while we await that report.

The Lagos State Government cannot run away from blame on this matter.

The JK Randle Museum is a multi-billion naira centre dedicated to the curating and studying of the Yoruba culture amongst others.

I know for a fact that it is a highly driven edifice with the best of technology deployed to ensure that it justifies its rating as a global centre of excellence, almost at par with the British Museum.

It has in its collections some of the rarest artefacts worth millions of naira. Artefacts that cannot be trifled with.

Now appointing this kind of person out of a sea of well qualified people beats my imagination.

It is no wonder that the Centre did not play any significant role in the last visitations, festivities where it was reported that over one million tourists entered Lagos.

One cannot be surprised when the Centre Director was busy running his wife’s canteen instead of positioning the Museum as a main destination for visitation during the festivities.

This is a wake up call for the Lagos State Government to take this establishment with the seriousness it deserves by getting well tested hands to run the place instead of this caveman who seems not to even know his left from his right.

If the Government in themselves are confused as to what to do with it, then it can hand it over to an international body who could run it on their behalf along with globally accepted standards.

The JK Randle Museum has the full potential of turning into an international hub as we continue to see interest from as far afield as Cuba, Brazil and other Caribbean centres on the Museum.

It’s not too late to kick this caveman out, he can go run his canteen at Ebute Ero while we salvage what is left of this beautiful ode to our collective heritage.
Come and beat me

–The Duke of Shomolu writes from Lagos

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BREAKING: Patrick Vieira Appointed New Senegal Head Coach as Teranga Lions Begin New Era

Published

3 hours ago

August 18, 2026

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BREAKING: Patrick Vieira Appointed New Senegal Head Coach as Teranga Lions Begin New Era—-The Dakar-born former France international takes his first national-team coaching role after Senegal parted ways with Pape Thiaw following their disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign.

Patrick Vieira has been appointed the new head coach of the Senegal national team, with the former France international taking charge of the Teranga Lions for the first time in his managerial career.

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) confirmed Vieira’s appointment on Tuesday, August 18, announcing that the 50-year-old will succeed Pape Thiaw, whose tenure ended following Senegal’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

The appointment represents a major new chapter in Vieira’s coaching career and his first opportunity to manage a senior national team.

Vieira Returns to His Birth Country

Although Vieira represented France throughout his international career, including winning the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000, he was born in Dakar, Senegal.

The former midfielder moved to France at the age of eight before developing into one of the country’s most celebrated footballers. He eventually earned 107 caps for Les Bleus and became an important figure in France’s golden generation.

His connection to Senegal makes the appointment particularly significant as he now returns to lead the country’s senior national team.

Replacing Pape Thiaw

Vieira takes over after Thiaw was removed from his position following Senegal’s disappointing World Cup campaign.

The Teranga Lions were eliminated in the round of 32 after surrendering a 2–0 lead against Belgium before eventually losing 3–2 in extra time. The result brought an early end to Senegal’s World Cup ambitions and contributed to the decision to make a change in the dugout.

The FSF subsequently turned to Vieira as it looks to begin a new era.

First National-Team Job for Vieira

Vieira arrives with considerable experience in club management but has never previously managed a senior international side.

He began his coaching career with Manchester City’s youth setup before taking charge of New York City FC in MLS. He later managed French side Nice, Premier League club Crystal Palace, Strasbourg and Italian club Genoa.

His appointment therefore presents a new challenge for the former Arsenal captain, who must now translate his club-management experience to the international stage.

AFCON 2027 Qualification Awaits

Vieira’s first major task will be preparing Senegal for the next international window and the country’s qualification campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Senegal are the reigning African champions and will be expected to remain among the continent’s leading teams under their new manager. The AFCON qualifiers are scheduled to begin as early as September.

The appointment also gives Vieira an opportunity to build a team capable of competing for another continental title while establishing a long-term project with the national side.

A New Chapter for Senegal

For Senegal, Vieira’s appointment represents both a change in leadership and an attempt to reset after a disappointing World Cup.

For Vieira, it is a chance to manage the country of his birth and take charge of a talented generation of Senegalese players.

The FSF said further details concerning Vieira’s official presentation and the next steps in his installation will be announced later.

The man who lifted the World Cup with France in 1998 will now attempt to lead Senegal to continental and international success — beginning with the Teranga Lions’ new era under Patrick Vieira.

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SHOCKING !! Oluyin Of Iyin-Ekiti In DSS Net Over Alleged Suspicious Demand for Governor’s Used Chair

Published

23 hours ago

August 17, 2026

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SHOCKING !! Oluyin Of Iyin-Ekiti In DSS Net Over Alleged Suspicious Demand for Governor’s Used Chair

The Department of State Services (DSS) has invited the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Adeniyi Adeola Ajakaiye, for questioning after he made a quiet but suspicious demand for the chair used by Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji during a thanksgiving service at Babamuboni Memorial Anglican Church, Iyin-Ekiti.

According to leaked correspondences exchanged between Babamuboni Anglican Church and Oluyin’s Palace, Governor Oyebanji had attended an event on May 31, 2026 at the invitation of Senate Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, an indigene of Iyin-Ekiti few days to the state’s gubernatorial election.

How Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti Strangely Demanded Governor’s Seat

It was gathered that after the church program, the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Ajakaiye quietly and specifically requested for the chair which the Governor sat on during the church program.

The church’s Vicar who suspected a mischief by the Oluyin’s palace politely declined the estranged and bizzare request.

According to the church, the decline made Oba Oluyin furious who immediately influenced the untimely transfer of the church’s vicar, Ven. Dr. Samuel Sunday Agunbiade from the church.

The Palace, in a letter addressed to the church , insisted that the governor’s seat be surrendered for “royal custody and appropriate traditional rites.”

In the said letter from the Oluyin-in-Council to the church, they strangely said that “the replacement chair to be commissioned henceforth shall be placed under strict and adequate guard at all times, to avert any future desecration or recurrence of such grave oversight against the sanctity of the stool.”

Meanwhile, the request which has been described as barbaric and bizarre in Nigeria’s political and religious history, immediately raised suspicion and outrage within the community.

The Position of the Anglican Church

The Anglican Church, in its formal reply, rejected the demand, stressing that church property is held in trust under ecclesiastical governance. It further explained that the chair no longer existed, having already been dismantled and incorporated into the altar furnishing.

According to the church, “Consequently, the Church is not at liberty to surrender, transfer, or remove dedicated Church property for external purposes outside the procedures prescribed by ecclesiastical authority.

“As custodians of these properties, we are duty-bound to preserve and administer them in accordance with the doctrine, discipline, and governance of the Church.”

REQUEST FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE CHURCH CHAIR TO THE PALACE nnnnn_040357

Despite the stance of the church to strictly adhere to its ecclesiastical responsibilities and constitutional obligations, the palace persisted.

Outrage in Iyin-Ekiti as Residents React

Residents of Iyin-Ekiti alleged that the monarch’s insistence was not cultural but sinister with claims that the chair might be for ritual manipulation against the governor whom at the time was preparing for his re-election.

They noted that the DSS invitation to the Oluyin underscores how seriously the security agency views the matter stressing that there are sinister motive behind the estranged act.

It was equally gathered that the fallout extended to the church leadership. Ven. Dr. Agunbiade, the vicar who stood firm against the palace’s demand, was transferred under circumstances widely perceived as punitive.

Residents noted that while governors, presidents, and dignitaries have attended church services across Nigeria and Ekiti State in particular for decades, never has a demand been made for their chairs to undergo “traditional rites.”

They described the incident as mischievous while calling for a thorough investigation by the DSS to unravel the mystery and sinister motives behind the bizzare request of the monarch.

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