Lagos Heritage Goes Global: Wikimedia Contest Celebrates Untold Stories
By Zannah Ibrahim Mustapha
Editor -In -Chief
Kanempress Digital Hub
28th November 2024
In a groundbreaking move to preserve and promote Lagos State’s vast cultural and historical resources, the Lagos State Government has joined forces with the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria to launch the Wiki Imagine Lagos initiative. This ambitious project seeks to digitally document the state’s heritage, making it accessible to global audiences while fostering sustainable tourism development.
The partnership, officially unveiled in a dynamic webinar, is part of a broader effort to ensure that Lagos’ rich history, iconic tourist attractions, and vibrant cultural landscape are preserved for future generations. Through Wikimedia’s global platform, the initiative aims to elevate Lagos as a leading cultural hub on the world stage.
A Digital Revolution for Lagos’ Heritage
The initiative’s launch event featured a stirring address by Dr. Isaac Olatunde, Secretary to the Wikimedia Nigeria Board of Trustees, who highlighted the critical importance of preserving Lagos’ cultural legacy. He passionately spoke about Wikimedia Nigeria’s commitment to documenting Lagos’ diverse cultural fabric and underscored the significance of ensuring that the city’s heritage is accurately represented online.
“We are at a pivotal moment where technology meets culture,” Dr. Olatunde said. “Wikimedia’s resources will enable us to tell Lagos’ stories to the world, making our history accessible, inclusive, and sustainable.”
The Wiki Imagine Lagos project is set to achieve this through a series of initiatives designed to involve the community and raise awareness about Lagos’ rich cultural offerings. Key activities include photo contests, thematic edit-a-thons aimed at improving Wikipedia entries about Lagos, and the installation of customised plaques at major tourist attractions that will provide links to relevant Wikipedia pages, allowing visitors to learn more about the historical and cultural significance of the sites.
A Pioneering Appointment: Wikipedia-In-Residence
One of the most exciting aspects of this collaboration is the appointment of a Wikipedia-In-Residence at the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture. This first-of-its-kind role, both in Nigeria and across Africa, will be instrumental in advancing the project’s goals. The Wikipedia-In-Residence will lead efforts to fill the gaps in the online documentation of Lagos’ heritage, with a comprehensive Needs Assessment revealing that over 70% of the state’s 163 heritage sites are currently absent from Wikipedia.
This initiative leverages the global reach of Wikipedia, the world’s most-accessed and cited online resource, to ensure that Lagos’ cultural treasures gain the visibility they deserve.
Empowering Journalists and Heritage Advocates
To kickstart the project, a writing contest was launched, targeting Nigerian journalists and heritage advocates. The contest encourages participants to uncover and document lesser-known Lagos heritage sites, with winning entries to be featured on Wikipedia. The contest offers substantial prizes, including ₦500,000 for first place, ₦300,000 for second, and ₦200,000 for third, alongside digital certificates for other standout submissions.
These stories will not only serve as valuable resources for Wikipedia articles but will also help shift the spotlight onto some of Lagos’ most overlooked cultural landmarks. Selected articles will be incorporated into Wikipedia during upcoming edit-a-thons, creating a ripple effect of global visibility for the state’s historical assets.
A Panel of Experts Charts the Way Forward
The highlight of the webinar was a compelling panel discussion moderated by Airat Abdul Rahmon, Broadcast Journalist at Voice of Nigeria. The panel brought together a diverse group of experts, including:
Mrs. Adetoke Benson Awosika, Honourable Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture
Olusola Olaniyan, Chairperson, Wikimedia Nigeria Foundation Inc.
Pelu Awofeso, CNN/Multichoice African Journalist Awardee
Okorie Uguru, Publisher of Africa Travel Herald and former PRO of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN)
Mevin Iteghete, Information Technologist
These industry leaders shared their insights on the potential impact of the project, highlighting how the digital preservation of Lagos’ cultural heritage can not only elevate the city’s international profile but also contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive tourism sector.
“The intersection of culture, technology, and development is where true progress happens,” said Ambassador Olusola Olaniyan, Chairman of Wikimedia Nigeria. “This collaboration represents a major step in making Lagos a leading destination for cultural tourism globally.”
Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future
The Wiki Imagine Lagos initiative is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 11, which advocates for making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, and sustainable. By leveraging the power of Wikipedia, this project is poised to help safeguard Lagos’ heritage, provide global visibility for its iconic sites, and foster responsible tourism that supports local communities.
As the world increasingly turns to digital platforms for knowledge and cultural exchange, Wiki Imagine Lagos stands as a vital step toward ensuring that Lagos State’s unique cultural and historical resources are preserved for posterity—and that they shine brightly on the world stage.
With the backing of Wikimedia and the Lagos State Government, this partnership offers a compelling vision of how technology and culture can intersect to create a legacy that future generations will cherish and celebrate.
