PENPUSHING PLATFORM WANTS GOVERNMENT CONVERTS KUTIS HOME AS TOURIST CENTRE

A group of participants under the banner penpushing platform has suggested the take over of home of the late Ransome-Kuti family by Ogun government following the abandonment of the building over two decades ago.

The monumental building situated along Nepa road in Abeokuta was constructed by the renowned couple, who were the parents of the late  music legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, as well as his brothers, Olikoye(late Minister of Heath) and Beko(a late medical doctor and human rights activist).

Ironically, both parents died over three decades ago, while their children  also died some years back,but were left with grandchildren, which include Femi,Yeni and Seun among others‎.

Since demise of both Israel and Olufunmilayo Kuti, the house has lack attention and became an eyesore,while condition got worsen after demise of their children. At a point in time,some Igbo traders trading in brooms sale took over the building as warehouse for over five years.
Some neighbours  interviewed‎ by our correspondent expressed worries over the state of the building,blaming late Fela and his siblings of being arthitech of the building misfortune. They said,the children of the deceased, also before their deaths,had abandoned the building for no just cause.

They explained that,the situation got worsen after demise of Fela and three other siblings, stressing that,none of their own children deem it fit to renovate the building, which today would have remain historical.

‎In reaction to the develoment, Funke Fadugba, a former chaairman,Nigeria Union of Journalists,NUJ,Lagos Council,who is also a participant on penpushing platform on sighting the dilapated picture of the building as posted said it was regrettable.

‘This is typical of Africa. In other climes this type of edifice are kept for their historical and political relevance. It can serve as source of revenue through tourism.  Let’s encourage the incumbent government to see it as a project and if time will not permit it, the current political gladiators should factor it into their agenda. Our history must be preserved’,she posited.

‘There must be a process. Government will initiate the move in the overall interest of the public.  If it requires compensation, it should be paid. That is the beauty of conferring ownership of land in government.  After all governments acquire land for public use’,Fadugba added.

‘Let government through its cultural agency  make the move even if to guide the family to see the need to preserve it. It should not perish. Percentages can be worked out with both sides mutually benefiting from such effort’,the veteran journalist posited

Similarly, Kayode Ogunbunmi, publisher of Cityvoice, an online publication was also of the view that,the government can take it over if threatens public safety,while another participant on the platform‎,Folorunsho Alli,also posited on need to take over before the building turn to criminal hide out like the building of late  Bobby Benson, which was eventually taken over by Lagos State Government.

Also contributing‎ Dupe Oshikolu joined the call of government take over of the building,but with a clause that it has to be with the consent of the family left behind.

‘ This is a family house o. It can’t just be taken over by government without a signed agreement with family members concerning their percentage from the revenue generated from the historical house’,she noted.

‘ Yeni and Femi, the elderly children of Fela can rally their cousins and siblings to a meeting on how to turn this house around. In Israel, they make a lot of money from historical houses. We paid to visit biblical Peter’s house, etc during our holy pilgrimage.Yeni and Femi, the elderly children of Fela can rally their cousins and siblings to a meeting on how to turn this house around’.

A USA based participant of penpushing platform, Sulaiman Osho in his own submission suggested need by Ogun State Government  to go into partnerships with the family of Kuti, .and turn the house to tourism spot.

‘Annual royalties will be paid to the family. I made this proposal before. ..Ogun tourism agency has achieved so little despite great tourism potentials in the state. ..there’s need for stronger political will…’,Osho stated

Contributing a final year law undergraduate of Obafemi Awolowo University,Ile-Ife, who is an Egba indigene, Rasaq Ayinla said, it was not enough for Ogun State Governor,Ibikunle Amosun to be going all about with claim that the state was first in everything.

‘It is not enough for Governor to say “We are first in everything” as he always says, he should start to preserve these monuments of ours, convert them to Tourist centres where huge revenue will be generated for government and the families concerned’,Ayinla declared.

A veteran broadcast journalist, Sesan Ekisola in his own reaction said, the derelic building was a an example of our apparent lack of a sense of history and sad indifference in matters of such importance and nature.

‘It is so strange that a clearly historical monument which could be run as revenue and touristic source can be so neglected or ignored, by either the family which definitely obviously has the resources to preserve and manage the place as a historical monument or the state government’,Ekisola said.

Meanwhile,efforts to get the grandchildren of the late owners of the building, with Femi Kuti as the prominent among them proved abortive‎, while In the same vein, the state government was not forthcoming to pronounce any statement on the building which dereliction level remains a threat to residents of the area