French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Lagos on Tuesday evening to the Shrine, Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti’s music venue, to celebrate Nigerian and African culture.
“I’m very happy to be here with you tonight,” said Macron, addressing the cheering and whistling crowd in English.
True to expectations, after dispensing with formal Presidential duties with a visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja where he held talks with President Muhammadu Buhari, the French President flew to Lagos.
At the Shrine, music, history, and culture blended together with a presidential touch to ensure a night of fun.
Macron (who swiftly dispensed with his suit and rolled up his sleeves upon arrival), Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and many others were thrilled by the iconic Femi Kuti with other African music heavyweights such as Angelique Kidjo and Youssou N’dour.
The French president said he was happy to return to Nigeria, where he had done an internship at the French embassy in 2002 and had visited the Shrine.
Describing the concert hall as “iconic”, Macron said that “we have to build a new common narrative” in Africa.
“You have to recognise the bad and negative pages of this history, but you have to move forward,” he said to applause.
Macron, at the Shrine announces the launch of the African Cultural Season which takes place in France in 2020, showcasing music, fashion, cinema and theatre.
See photos below:
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| French President Emmanuel Macron (C) poses for a selfie with Gov. Ambode, Nigerian artists Banky W, Youssou N’Dour and Angelique Kidjo at the Shrine Afrika in Lagos on July 3, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / |
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| French President Emmanuel Macron performs at the Shrine Afrika in Lagos on July 3, 2018. AFP PHOTO / |
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| French President Emmanuel Macron (L), Gov Ambode, Banky W meets with a young boy who drew a portrait of him during a visit to the Afrika Shrine in Lagos on July 3, 2018. / AFP PHOTO |
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| Nigerian musician Femi Kuti performs at the Afrika Shrine in Lagos on July 3, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / |
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| French President Emmanuel Macron (L) speaks next to Mauritanian film director Abderrahmane Sissako at the Afrika Shrine in Lagos on July 3, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / |
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| French President Emmanuel Macron (C) arrives to take part of a live show in the Afrika Shrine in Lagos on July 3, 2018. Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP |
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| French president Emmanuel Macron (C) takes a selfie with Nollywood artists during a live show in the AfriKa Shrine in Lagos on July 3, 2018. Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP |
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| Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo, Nigerian musician Femi Kuti and Senegalese singer Youssou N’dour perform at the Afrika Shrine in Lagos on July 3, 2018. Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP |
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| Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo, Nigerian musician Femi Kuti and Senegalese singer Youssou N’dour perform at the Afrika Shrine in Lagos on July 3, 2018. Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP |
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| French President Emmanuel Macron (C) Gov. Abode, and artist Femi Kuti wave to the crowd during a visit to the Afrika Shrine during a live show in Lagos on July 3, 2018. Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP |
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| French President Emmanuel Macron (L) laughs with Angelique Kidjo (2ndR) and Lagos Governor Akinwunmi Ambode (2ndL) at the Afrika Shrine in Lagos on July 3, 2018. Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP |
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| People take pictures of French President Emmanuel Macron (out of frame) as he arrives to take part of a live show at the Afrika Shrine in Lagos on July 3, 2018. Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP |
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| French President Emmanuel Macron (C) arrives to take part of a live show in the Afrika Shrine in Lagos on July 3, 2018. Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP |
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| French President Emmanuel Macron (L) meets with a young boy who drew a portrait of him during a visit to the Afrika Shrine in Lagos on July 3, 2018. Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP |
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| French President Emmanuel Macron (C) arrives to take part of a live show in the Afrika Shrine in Lagos on July 3, 2018. Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP |
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