One would think the vast number of colonial buildings and monuments in Nigeria would be acknowledged and cherished as part of our history. For a building like Ilojo Bar, which was constructed in 1855 and declared as a national monument in 1956, Just the idea of destroying it would be a total no-brainer.
Formerly known as ‘Casa do Fernandez’, the Brazilian-styled building was sold to Alfred Omolana Olaiya of the famous Olaiya family in 1933.
Unfortunately, the building was torn to the ground in September 2016 by certain developers following the property’s change of ownership.
However, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), has vowed to bring the lawless people behind this senseless demolition to justice.
Also, Legacy, a Lagos-based historical and environmental interest group has filed a petition against this demolition. This petition also aims to ensure the reconstruction of Ilojo bar to its initial state.
This demolition makes one wonder why National Monuments can be easily bought and sold by people who don’t even value their importance.
