Lagos, Nigeria – November 14, 2024.
The Wiki Imagine Lagos Webinar successfully brought together journalists, tourism experts, and cultural enthusiasts to explore the role of journalism in promoting and preserving Lagos’ rich heritage. Held virtually on November 14, the event featured an engaging panel discussion, insightful presentations, and the official launch of the Wiki Imagine Lagos Writing Contest.
The session opened with a warm welcome by Dr. Isaac Olatunde, Secretary to the Wikimedia Nigeria Board of Trustees, who reiterated Wikimedia Nigeria’s commitment to preserving Lagos’ culture and history. This was followed by an overview of the Wiki Imagine Lagos Project by Barakat Adegboye, the Wikimedian-in-Residence for the Wiki Imagine Lagos project and the webinar host, who highlighted the initiative’s goal to document Lagos’ cultural landmarks, tourist sites, and festivals on Wikipedia, ensuring global visibility and accessibility.
Barakat also introduced the Wiki Imagine Lagos Writing Contest, a unique opportunity for journalists to contribute by publishing articles about Lagos’ heritage in notable media outlets. The contest, which runs until November 30, offers cash prizes of ₦500,000, ₦300,000, and ₦200,000 to the top three contributors. Participants were encouraged to use the contest’s resources and meta page for guidance.
The highlight of the webinar was a lively panel discussion moderated by Airat Abdul-rahmon, featuring renowned experts:
- Mrs. Adetoke Benson-Awoyinka, Honourable Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture
- Ambassador Olushola Olaniyan, Chairperson, Wikimedia Nigeria Foundation Inc.
- Pelu Awofeso, CNN/Multichoice African Journalist Awardee
- Okorie Uguru, Publisher, Africa Travel Herald
- Melvin Iteghete, Information Technologist.
The panelists shared valuable insights on topics ranging from using technology to bridge tourism gaps to the importance of reliable media coverage for underrepresented cultural sites. Notable highlights included:
Ambassador Olusola Olaniyan: The Nigerian Story on the Global Stage. Ambassador Olusola Olaniyan, a passionate advocate for documenting Nigerian heritage, highlighted the importance of preserving the narratives that define the country’s identity.
“We document what Nigerians stand for—our heritage, our languages, our people, and our traditions—to domesticate the Nigerian story in a balanced and better perspective for the world to digest,” he remarked.
Ambassador Olaniyan also shared the innovative approach of integrating QR codes into Lagos’ heritage sites. These codes, linked to Wikipedia pages, will provide visitors instant access to the history and significance of these locations. He emphasized the potential of this initiative to empower local youth, not just in Lagos but across Nigeria, and to engage Wikimedia communities worldwide in amplifying Lagos’ visibility.
Pelu Awofeso: Showcasing Lagos as a Hub of Creativity and Culture, Award-winning travel writer Pelu Awofeso lauded the initiative as a historic move towards highlighting Lagos’ cultural and historical treasures.
“This is the very first time any organization, private or public, is deliberately focusing on trying to document the cultural and historical assets of Lagos,” he said.
He noted that Lagos has always been a magnet for people, owing to its vibrancy in commerce, entertainment, and creativity. Highlighting Lagos’ unique art seasons, Awofeso said: “From October’s creative arts season to December’s entertainment boom, Lagos is alive with festivals, exhibitions, and concerts. It is a city where culture and commerce intersect seamlessly.”
Awofeso also pointed out a significant challenge: the lack of accessibility to many heritage and nature parks in Lagos. “While Lagos boasts dozens of parks and cultural sites, most people don’t know about them, and even fewer can access them. Wikimedia’s work in digital documentation can help address these gaps by shedding light on lesser-known sites and improving public awareness.”
Okorie Uguru: Media as a Catalyst for Tourism. Publisher Okorie Uguru emphasized the critical role the media has played and continues to play in promoting Lagos’ tourism.
“You can’t promote tourism without the media, as tourism products are experiences people must hear about first before considering them. For decades, the media has been at the forefront of documenting Lagos’ beaches, heritage sites, and cultural events.”
He underscored the need to digitize archival stories, as much of Lagos’ history has been preserved in print but remains inaccessible online. He called on Wikimedia to engage experienced journalists and tap into their wealth of unpublished work to enrich the digital documentation of Lagos’ tourism assets.
Melvin Iteghete: Bridging Gaps Through Technology. Tech expert Melvin Iteghete highlighted how technology has transformed the way people explore heritage.
“Platforms like Wikipedia serve as bridges, enabling people worldwide to explore lesser-known sites through digital documentation. Initiatives like this partnership between the Lagos State Government and Wikimedia User Group Nigeria are pivotal in promoting sustainable tourism development.”
Mrs. Adetoke Benson-Awoyinka: The Honourable Commissioner from the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture praised the collaboration with Wikimedia as a strategic step in preserving Lagos’ tourist sites.
“Journalists have a medium that we do not have because journalism is everywhere and it is global. Their role in amplifying the beauty of our tourism sites is invaluable. This partnership with Wikimedia User Group Nigeria is critical for digitally preserving Lagos State’s tourist sites and ensuring that the world can access and appreciate our cultural heritage,” the Commissioner said.
The Ministry has been identifying key tourist sites and installing plaques with essential details about their history and significance. These efforts, combined with Wikimedia’s technological expertise, promise to revolutionize how Lagos’ heritage is experienced by locals and visitors alike.
The event concluded after a photo session, with closing remarks from Barakat, thanking attendees and panelists for their participation and reiterating the importance of documenting Lagos’ cultural identity. Participants were encouraged to join the writing contest and leverage their work to enrich Lagos’ representation on Wikipedia.
As Lagos continues to grow as a cultural hub, the Wiki Imagine Lagos Initiative serves as a vital platform to amplify its stories and preserve its legacy for generations to come.
You can watch the recorded Facebook live session here. For more information about the Wiki Imagine Lagos project, visit our Meta page. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X at @wikiimaginelagos to stay tuned for our next steps.
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