People come to pray, receive answers at Afrika Shrine; drugs not allowed: Manager
![New Afrika Shrine and Fela Kuti](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/New-Afrika-Shrine-and-Fela-Kuti.png)
Sunday Essien, the manager, New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja, Lagos, says many people visit the shrine to pray for specific requests, noting that they attest that those prayers are answered.
“People come here to pray at the shrine, depending on their needs, people come from different countries of the world, including the diasporans,” Mr Essien said on Wednesday.
Speaking during the “bestoflagosfamtour22”, organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, he said late Afrobeat sage, Fela Kuti, visited the shrine to pray when embarking on journeys.
Mr Essien also said that drugs were not allowed in the shrine which houses five entertainment floors used for different purposes like dance, music, comedy and more.
“We also don’t allow drugs here,” he said.
While dismissing claims that the shrine was used for the conduct of fetish activities, the manager said tourists “should not say what they don’t know.”
Mr Essien said that people held that belief because the tourism site was named as a shrine.
“The shrine is only a preservation of the site where late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti communicated with his ancestor.
“It was only in the past that fetish activities were conducted at the shrine, but nothing like that takes place again,” he said.
The New Afrika Shrine is an open air entertainment centre, which serves as the host location of the annual Felabration music festival.
It is the replacement of the old shrine, which was created in 1970 by Fela. Following his death in 1997, his eldest children, Femi and Yeni, built the New Afrika Shrine in his honour.
(NAN)
More from Peoples Gazette
![](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Queue-in-a-filling-station.png)
Economy
Buhari regime will continue to borrow without subsidy removal: Femi Adesina
“You know how much could have been saved if the subsidy was removed and how it could have been diverted to other areas and spheres of national life.
![](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/595BA3C1-5846-4A00-B08C-E2FC8621BB77-1200x741.jpeg)
Politics
PDP shifts deadline for sale of forms, screening
The PDP said this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba in Abuja on Wednesday.
![](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/8EE4587A-3705-40D7-936F-8492CE5C1CFB.jpeg)
World
UK issues travel alert to citizens, lists states to avoid in Nigeria
The updated security advisory comes after multiple attacks by armed bandits on Monday and Tuesday along the Kaduna-Abuja trail route.
![](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/A61CB343-AC09-436F-B2FE-00C119F71DBF.png)
Showbiz
Bruce Willis to retire from acting after aphasia diagnosis
The 67-year-old actor was diagnosed with aphasia, a language disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate.
![](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Poor-Nigerians-1.jpg)
Economy
Jobs available to most Nigerians cannot lift them out of poverty: World Bank
The report detailed that poverty reduction has remained stagnant since 2015, with more Nigerians sliding into poverty over time.
![](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/5196E6DC-0737-4460-AEFA-D6275A00E825.jpeg)
Lagos
Residents rejects resumption of tolling on Lekki Tollgate
The decision of the residents was disclosed by the Nigerian comedian and activist, Debo Adedayo.
![SUPER EAGLES, BLACK STARS](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/3B689594-F232-4E65-95EF-BDEF7A103ECE-1200x675.jpeg)
Sport
Super Eagles apologise for not qualifying for Qatar 2022 World Cup
“First and foremost, as Nigerians, we share your emotions and we take our responsibility as a group.”