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Lufodo Group takes over management of centenarian Glover Memorial Hall

Photo: At the handing over of management of the GMH to the Lufodo Group: Mrs Akinbule-Yusuf, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, with the Permanent Secretary, Princess Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi and Director of Theatre,Odusote with the concessionaires, Mrs. Joke Silva and Mrs Monye; and other Board members.

AFTER months of speculations and anticipation, the Lufodo Group, yesterday, finally took over the management of the over-a-century-old Glover Memorial Hall, GMH, from the Lagos State Government.

The hand-over ceremony was performed by the State’s Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Uzamat Akinbule-Yusuf, on behalf of the governor. She was assisted by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Princess Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi, and the Director of Theatre, Odusote in the presence of members of the new management board of the hall.

Akinbule-Yusuf said the Lufodo Group won after a rigorous bidding process, which had taken over a year.

Lufodo Group is the holding company of Lufodo Productions jointly led by the famous art-couple, Joke Silva and Olu-Jacobs. Prior to now, the company was popular for its theatre and cinema productions and management operations, even as husband and wife have flourishing individual career in acting on stage and screen.

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The Board members with the LASG officials

Lufodo Group’s 5-year management concession is in partnership with Ciuci Consulting, a leading consulting and operations management firm.

Mrs. Joke Silva (Lufodo) and Mrs Ifeoma Monye (Ciuci) will serve as co-CEOs.

While Mrs. Silva-Jacobs will be in charge of artistic direction; Ifeoma Monye, a partner at Ciuci Consulting, will oversee operations.

Aside the two co-executives, others on the management board are: comprising: Gbenga Oyebode (Chairman), Chief (Mrs.) Taiwo Taiwo, Dr. Tony Rapu, Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello, and Soji Jacobs.

Speaking after the handover, Mrs. Monye, said: “This handover is symbolic and shows that Lagos State is interested in the development of the performing arts industry. With more Public-Private Partnerships, there is no limit to the growth that the great state and nation will experience.

Joke Silva, after the ceremony, assured the state government that its trust and confidence in the capability of the Lufodo Group to manage the iconic facility, will be justified.

Glover hall in History…

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Lufodo Group takes over management of centenarian Glover Memorial Hall 7

THE Glover Memorial Hall (GMH), was built 1887 by the then colonial administration and was named after the administrator of the protectorates that eventually became Nigeria, Sir John Glover.

Located on Customs Street, a rather quiet corner off the noisy Marina street, which later became heart of the Lagos Central Business District (CBD), GMH was the first of its kind at the time of birth; and over the decades, has remained a heritage site in Nigeria. It hosted nearly all the pioneering artistic events in Lagos all through independence till the mid-90s, when it fell into distress. This was after the composer, art aficionado and elderartsman, Steve Rhodes, who had ensured the sustenance of its reputation as a centre for artistic productions and expressions, left its management then held by a Trust, superintended by the Lagos State government.

Aside losing parts of its land mass to land speculators and grabbers, GMH simply known the as Glover Hall, nearly became derelict with all sorts of miscreants taken over its bowel.

Located adjacent the now partly abandoned Central Bank of Nigeria, next door to the imposing Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) building, and shielded from the busy Marina Street by the tall Union Bank headquarters building, at some point it was being illegally rented out for social parties and church activities; and at another time, was abused by foreing exchange dealers, who converted its bowels to their operation centres.

The administration of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, however, in its larger plan for the creative industry and ‘Greater Lagos’ scheme -which was unprecedented in the history of the State’s development – launched its restoration, which was concluded last year by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration in March 2021.

…A journey to rebirth

IN an article on March 8, 2021, titled, ‘For Remodelled Lagos Glover Memorial Hall, It’s New Dawn’, the prime culture newspaper, The Culture Newspaper, TCN, traced the beginning of the restoration of the GMH.

“A ‘new’ cultural space has joined the growing list of art houses in Lagos State and the art community is happy.

“For many years, after the demise of Elder Steve Rhodes, the music impresario and a Board of Trustee member of the hall, the Glover Memorial Hall in the heart of Lagos lay practically desolate.

“It was abandoned, unbefitting of any worthy event. It was leaking and smelling and was definitely a shadow of its old self. It only entertained a few commercial activities that had no bearing to its original concept.

“Then sometimes in 2017, the former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, FCA took personal interest.

“He was already building four multi-purpose theatres across the state and had started the transformation of the J.K Rendle Centre in Onikan into a mightily impressive Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, for which the British Museum had promised to release 20 artefacts taken away from Lagos.

“Ambode’s thinking was that with a buoyant arts scene helped by new cultural spaces, a functional Glover Memorial Hall would add to the colour and conviviality expected of a culture-conscious city.
And so first, he released the hall to Qudus Onikeku, the brain behind Q Dance company and the annual Dance Gathering festival as a base for their rehearsals, performances and temporary office.

“hen about a year later, the former governor decided the historic hall was ready for a total make-over which he started towards the end of 2018 under the joint supervision of the ministries of Works and Tourism, Arts & Culture. Last week, the refurbished hall finally roared to life with an unveiling ceremony by Ambode’s successor, Governor Babajide Sanwoolu.

The hall was initially scheduled to open in December 2020 and host the year’s edition of ‘The People’s Festival’ but the 10-day Christmas-themed fest which was billed to headline the QDance presentation, among others, but it was reportedly cancelled due to COVID19 concerns.”

The Glover Hall was built in 1887 in honour of the second Governor of Lagos Colony, Sir John Hawley Glover and in 1903 was the first to host the public screening of a film in Nigeria.

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…Our plan for remodelled Glover Memorial Hall, by Sanwo-Olu

SPEAKING at the commissioning, Sanwo-Olu said: “The completion and formal commissioning of the remodeled Glover Memorial Hall reflects our determination to rebuild Lagos, revamp our historic/public assets and also develop the Entertainment, Creative, and Tourism Sector, which is one of the pillars of our T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda.

“Our administration is mindful of the fact that the tourism and entertainment sector is an integral part of socio-economic development, and the overall wellbeing of our citizens, which is why this sector will not be neglected in our drive to make Lagos a megacity. We are committed to innovatively seek ways of providing the enabling environment for the tourism and entertainment sector to thrive.

“Today’s event signals a gradual return of activities within the tourism and entertainment sector. It is a boost for our creative practitioners and entertainers as well as the necessary catalyst for economic growth because if we properly harness our human and capital resources, tourism and entertainment will become major contributors to socio-economic growth and development.

“I assure you that the remodeled Glover Memorial Hall will not only boost activities in the entertainment and creative sector, it will also restore the glorious days when it served as a relaxation point for Lagosians including those who live and work on the Island. It is a testament to a splendid past and an indicator of a more glorious future in which Lagosians have the jobs and opportunities that they require to flourish. On our part, we will not relent in fostering collaborative investments for the advancement of our shared prosperity.”

Earlier before the governor, the TAC commissioner, Mrs. Akinbile-Yusuf, reiterated that the restoration of the Glover Memorial Hall is in line with the ‘Greater Lagos’ agenda of the Sanwo-Olu admonistration: Entertainment and Tourism.

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Oba Rilwan Akiolu, the traditional ruler of Lagos, who described Governor Sanwo-Olu as progressive, said the Glover Hall remains an iconic feature of Lagos as a centre for creative excellence. He praised the Sanwo-Olu for his vision and commitment to transform Lagos. He said he would continuously support development of Lagos, while urging all the indegenes and residents to work together for the greater glory of the State.

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