People all over the world are attracted to sites and places that often have features that beat the human imagination. People travel thousands of miles and spend lots of money to visit such sites, the irony is that some of the residents in such cities may not even be aware of such wonders or even create the time to visit them. They may be aware of the popular ones but unknown to them there are other tourist attraction sites that are not well known but are gems in their own rights. In the city I live in,I know the popular tourist sites like the beaches, the museums and others.
Some years ago I stumbled on a book I used in school some decades ago that mention some historical happenings in my city and where they occurred.My city was the former capital of the country and has been so since the colonial periods, the book brought to light some locations rarely talked about and what makes them unique. A lot of people including myself either do not know or have forgotten the relevance of such places. Let me write about some of them.
THE FREEDOM PARK:
I have been passing by the walls of this place for decades without knowing it's relevance and so has millions of people who visit the island of Lagos. The freedom Park holds a lot of history behind its walls. At about 1861,when Lagos was a British colony the traditional way of punishing offenders of the law was to banish them by sending them on exile. The British authorities had proposed a system of punishing offenders of the law, as such they built a prison with walls that were made of mud and a roof that was made of tatched rafia leaves.This is said to be the first prison in Nigeria but it was always compromised and broken into.
The British had to think of a better way of building a prison. To solve this problem they imported bricks from Britain, brought down the first structure and rebuilt the prison. On completion,the prison was commissioned and named Her Majesty's Broad Street Prison. Some of its features were the very thick walls made of bricks and the gallows for executing condemned criminals.
Notable national figures have been imprisoned there before and they include both labor leaders and political prisoners who fought for Nigeria's independence from Britain. They include Obafemi Awolowo, Herbert Macaulay, Pa Michael imoudu and others. The prison was abandoned for many years but was later redesigned by the Lagos State government into a center for tourism and entertainment. It was renamed Freedom Park in 2010 but it still retains some features of the old prison. Today it is a leisure park worth visiting as it is now seen as a symbolism of freedom and fun.
THE TAKWA BAY BEACH:
There are lots of beaches in Lagos City and they are mostly visited by nature lovers and fun seekers but unknown to many is the Takwa Bay Beach. This beach can only be accessed by boat as it is surrounded by water. It is a perfect getaway known for his pristine calm waters.
Some attractions at this beach are water sports like jet -skiing and kayaking. The local cuisine is a delight to taste.
THE NEW AFRIKA SHRINE (FELA SHRINE):
Fela is a global music figure known for popularizing the music genre called Afrobeats. He was known for using his songs to promote political struggles and social awareness. His music shows were held at the initial site of the Fela Shrine in Surulere Lagos but after his death it was moved to its present site the New Africa Shrine in ikeja.
This place has been visited by many people including the current French president Emmanuel Macron. This bustling music center host live music performances and has a museum dedicated to the life and times of the great music icon Fela whose mother was the first African woman to ride a car.
JAEKEL HOUSE:
The name may not be popular but if you want to know about the history of Nigeria's railway system, this is a place to visit. It is located on the island of Lagos and it is a railway museum.
It houses the earliest form of locomotives,carriages and other railway relics that will take you back in time to have a glimpse of how railway transportation started in Nigeria and was run during the colonial era..
THE WHISPERING PALMS RESORT:
This lovely resort located close to Badagry in Lagos offers a quiet and tranquil experience from the city chaos. Before I visited this place in 2001, I used to wonder why it was called Whispering Palms. On visiting, I was made to know that when someone visits and immerses himself in the ambience of the serene environment and the breathtaking view of the Lagos lagoon in the quietness of the resort, the only sound that you will hear will be that of the waves and whispers made by the leaves of the coconut and palm trees.
This place has a zoo that contains some aquatic creatures, it is a lovely place to visit although not well-known.
THE EPE MANGROVES AND FISH MARKET:
A place located on the outskirts of Lagos. Unlike the city center much of Epe's natural beauty is still preserved like the mangroves. This is a hidden spot that boasts of mangroves, creeks and lots of wildlife. The fun is best experienced during boat tours that will take you through the winding channels of the mangroves and creeks.
During your visit,you can go to the Epe fish market or patronize fisherman with fresh catch of assorted fishes at the waterfront. This untapped natural beauty is a place to see.
CONCLUSION:
I can go on and on listing other places like the Lekki Conservation Center and the floating slum in Makoko and others. Lagos is the smallest state in terms of land mass in my country but it is the state with the highest population of people in the country. This hidden gems offers a perfect escape from the busy life of the city due to its large population. These are hidden gems of nature, culture and history of the vibrant people of Lagos.