NIGERIA: Lagos: Lagos Ethnic Heritage Centre

It has been a year and a half since we made Nigeria our home and we realised that not all is what it seems. They phrase about "do not judge a book by its cover" has been again and again proven correct here, especially in Lagos state.

on the bridge towards Victoria Island, Lagos state, Nigeria

Here, looks can be deceiving. Behind a hotel, you'll find a windowless structure is actually a nice Indian restaurant (Sheraton Indian Restaurant). Somewhere between another restaurant (Yellow Chillies in Victoria Island) and a private hospital, is the best Italian restaurant in Nigeria (my new friend, an Indian gentleman now in his 35th year in Nigeria said). 

What looked like a bungalow, is actually a restaurant. Come to think about it...that's how the setup of a some of the restaurants here in Lagos. Huge gate with a gate man (honk to enter, please). Some, you don't actually see the restaurants inside...it's almost like...secret! The Hard Rock Cafe, Lagos fits the description....beyond the gate, is the hippest place to be..but from the main road...just another grey building with big car park.

Entrance to the Hard Rock Cafe, Lagos... who would imagine. This is on a 4x4, imagine on a car...you would miss the sign on top of the building.

Anyway it reminds me of the area Bangsar, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where old bungalows around the area are converted to exclusive restaurants. 

Lagos Ethnic Heritage Centre (click here) 

But today (Tuesday, 12th April 2016) was a little different. We were looking for something else, but instead we found another. 

the resident model of this blog...Saifuddin of MATRADE

It's the "Lagos Ethnic Heritage Centre". A centre to learn languages (Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and French), learn to cook Nigerian dishes, learn about African Hair styling, how to tie  and care etc. They also have a decent library and multi purpose hall to do meetings and private functions. 

Saifuddin (right) talking to the Administrator of the centre, 
Ms. Chinenye I. Onyeagba

walls are adorned with traditional motives and
traditional ironworks 

The centre also boasts a restaurant with local delicacies. I do see a few which I am used to......right..Eforiro, Nkwobi, Jollof rice etc..Chapman? the famous drink...am not pretty sure but most restaurant do serve them. The administrator also mentioned that the place is usually busy after working hours. 

the thatched roof restaurant

interior of the restaurant

the wall of famous men and women

The feature wall in the restaurant was full with prominent Nigerians and Africans, late and present. I am quite familiar with a few of them. There's Nelson Mandela, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and....Lady Kwali.

One look at her picture...I have this funny feeling I've seen her somewhere before. She's on the 20Naira note! She made Nigerian pottery famous. Traveled all over Europe. Received MBE (Member of the British Empire) in 1962 and a road in Abuja named after her. 

Lady Kwali's picture with the MBE medal

The centre would be a good first place to visit for first time visitors and business people from all over the world. The centre could organise a talk to a group of organising a talk to small group of businessman/women from Malaysia, if needed the next time they come to do business in Nigeria. To know the do's and don'ts, what's acceptable and not; and information needed to jumpstart their trade here. 

the souvenir centre

Right at the exit/entrance of the centre....there's this pair of life sized figure. It's a scene where a wife (complete with a baby at her back) hands over to her husband a knife (looked like a piece of iron) on his way up the palm tree to collect the sap and I guess to make palm wine. It's a nice and curious addition to the centre.

"husband you climb tree now now"

We left the centre and drove into Awolowo road. The hustle and bustle of Lagos really took us aback...that a few blocks away,  there's the heritage centre looked all quiet, ready to receive guests like us. BTW, the address of the centre as follows:

35A, Raymond Njaku Street,

Ikon, Lagos, 

Nigeria

admin@ethnicheritagecentre.com.ng

Tel.: +234 809 801 9561/+234 813 565 4974